Middle East & North Africa

03 July 2021; MEMO: Coordinator of the UN Mission in Libya, Raisedon Zenenga, announced on Friday the conclusion of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) in Geneva, without succeeding to reach an agreement on the constitutional basis.

At the concluding session on the fifth day of the LPDF meetings, the UN official called on its members to "pursue a compromise solution that unites the Libyan parties, continue consultations between members, and seek a solution that enhances your unity."

04 July 2021; MEMO: At least 43 migrants drowned in a shipwreck off Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean from Libya to Italy, while another 84 were rescued, the Tunisian Red Crescent told Reuters on Saturday.

The boat had set off from Zuwara, on Libya's northwest coast, carrying migrants from Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Bangladesh, the humanitarian organisation said.

04 July 2021; MEMO: Four people were found dead as a huge fire raged for a second day in Cyprus, razing tracts of forest in a blaze one official called the worst on record, reports Reuters.

The blaze, fanned by strong winds, affected at least 10 communities over an area of 50 square kilometres (19 square miles) in the foothills of the Troodos mountain range, an area of pine forest and densely vegetated shrubland.

04 July 2021; MEMO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi inaugurated a naval base on Saturday 135 km from the border with Libya, flanked by close ally Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Libya's unity president, reports Reuters.

Egypt says the July 3 base will help it protect strategic and economic interests as well as helping guard against irregular migration as it works to boost its naval presence on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea.

04 July 2021; MEMO: Israeli defence officials were checking whether Iranian forces were behind a possible attack on a cargo ship under partial Israeli ownership on Saturday on its way from Jeddah to the United Arab Emirates, Israel's N12 Television News reported.

NICOSIA, July 3 (Reuters) - Four people were found dead as a huge fire raged for a second day in Cyprus, razing tracts of forest in a blaze one official called the worst on record.

The blaze, fanned by strong winds, affected at least 10 communities over an area of 50 square kilometres (19 square miles) in the foothills of the Troodos mountain range, an area of pine forest and densely vegetated shrubland.

The victims, thought to be Egyptian nationals, were found dead close to the community of Odou, a mountainous community north of the cities of Limassol and Larnaca.

TEHRAN, July 3 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani criticized on Saturday the lack of apology from the U.S. government for more than three decades for downing an Iranian airliner in 1988, official news agency IRNA reported.

"The U.S. government has to know that it committed a very big crime in the Gulf in 1988," Rouhani said in a meeting.

U.S. apologies, compensation, and an explanation about the reason why awards were given to "the killers and perpetrators of this great crime" are still expected, Rouhani noted.

TUNIS, July 3 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian maritime guard managed to rescue 96 illegal immigrants off the country's southeast coast, while 43 others are still missing, Tunis Afrique Presse (TAP) agency reported Saturday.

"The rescue operation took place off Zarzis coast in the province of Medenine, where units of the maritime guard managed to rescue 96 illegal immigrants from a sinking boat," TAP quoted Mongi Selim, head of the branch of the Tunisian Red Crescent in Medenine, as saying.

BEIRUT, Jul 3 (NNN-NNA) – The Lebanese judge, leading investigation into Beirut port’s blasts, announced yesterday that, he will start questioning caretaker Prime Minister, Hassan Diab, former ministers and current and former heads of security agencies.

Judge Tarek Bitar, set a date for interrogating Diab, without publically disclosing it, while he sent a letter to parliament, requesting the lifting of parliamentary immunity of former Public Works Minister, Ghazi Zeaiter, former Finance Minister, Ali Hasan Khalil and former Interior Minister, Nouhad Machnouk.

MOGADISHU, July 3 (NNN-Xinhua) — Somalia’s government on Saturday condemned the suicide bombing attack in Mogadishu on Friday evening that left 10 people dead and dozens injured.

“The horrific and callous attack by al-Shabaab terrorists shows they targeting innocent people which makes it our duty to co-operate together to fight terrorism,” Prime Minister Mohamed Roble said in a statement.