Libya: UN says former rebels hold up to 7,000 prisoners

The UN says former Libyan rebels are holding approximately 7,000 prisoners. It believes the detainees are being held without right to legal process because the police and courts are not functioning, and some may have been tortured. The UN suspects that many of the sub-Saharan Africans were hired by Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi as mercenaries during the war.

It is thought that the new Libyan government has taken heed of the situation and promised to deal with the issue in a responsible way. This is the first UN assessment of Libya since the end of the eight month conflict.

The report issued by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, suggests that 7,000 captives are presently held in detention centres across the country under guard by revolutionary groups.

Speaking about the situation Ban Ki-moon said: “I believe the leaders of the new Libya are committed to building a society based on the respect for human right…While the (National Transitional Council) has taken some steps toward transferring responsibility for the detainees from brigades to proper state authorities, much remains to be done to regularize detention, prevent abuse and bring about the release of those whose detention should not be prolonged," the report says.”

He continued: “I believe that the leaders of the new Libya are indeed committed to building a society based on the respect for human rights… Achieving this requires the earliest possible action, however difficult the circumstances, to end arbitrary detention and prevent abuses and discrimination, against third country nationals as well as against any group of Libya's own citizens.”

In related news, UN envoy to Libya Ian Martin welcomed last week's appointment of an interim government in Tripoli.

Speaking to the BBC, Martin said: "It is indicative of the difference from the attitudes of past regime that there is no denial that human rights are being violated and in most cases international organisations are granted access to detainees…The new minister of the interior told me he welcomed public criticism as strengthening his hand in tackling the issues.”

Libya's new government was assembled by the newly elected interim Prime Minister Abdurrahim al-Keib. It now faces many challenges including, drafting of a constitution and holding democratic elections by next June.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, Bloomberg

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

© 2011 Menas Associates

More deadly clashes in Sana'a

Yemeni officials have confirmed that as many as 40 people have been killed in deadly clashes in Sana'a. Fighting broke out between Yemeni security forces and tribal fighters, loyal to tribe leader Sheikh Sadiq Al-Ahmar, breaching the ceasefire.

Yemen's Defence Ministry accused the tribal fighters of seizing the headquarters of the ruling General People's Congress in the capital, however, sources close to Sheikh Ahmar say government troops attacked his complex in the north of the city.

On Tuesday 30th May, 12 protesters were shot dead in the southern city of Taiz following a move by security forces to remove a protest camp from the city centre. There was more violence in the town of Zinjibar, between government forces and alleged Al-Qai'da militants.

On Wednesday 25th May, US President Barack Obama said President Ali Abdullah Saleh should "move immediately on his commitment to transfer power". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon added that he was "deeply troubled" by the violence and called on all sides to find a peaceful solution. But the situation in Yemen seems to be deteriorating rather than improving with Saleh refusing to help ease the crisis; many fear the prospect of a civil war.

Sources: BBC News, The Associated Press, AFP, Reuters

For more news and expert analysis about Yemen, please see Yemen Focus.

Qadhafi loyalist heading to oil port of Ras Lanuf

According to UN estimations 200,000 people have fled Libya since the anti-regime revolt began over three weeks ago. The UN is launching an appeal for £99 million for humanitarian aid to help 600,000 people within Libya and those trying to leave the country.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has appointed Jordan's former foreign minister, Abdelilah Al-Khatib, as a special envoy to Libya. A statement from Ban Ki-Moon's office said that the Secretary General noted "that civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence, and calls for an immediate halt to the government's disproportionate use of force and indiscriminate attacks on civilian targets".

Reports have emerged that Libyan security forces and Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi supporters have occupied the town of Bin Jawad, and are making their way toward the oil port of Ras Lanuf 50km away.

The anti-government rebels are at a considerable disadvantage against Qadhafi's loyalists fighting in the Leader's tribal heartland, because the latter are better armed and organised. There have been reports that the troops have taken over the town forcing the inhabitants to act as human shields. NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen called the situation "absolutely outrageous" but said that NATO has no plans to intervene.

Speaking about the situation he said: "These systematic attacks against the civilian population may, as stated by the UN Security Council, amount to a crime against humanity."

In related news, the UK government has confirmed that the unsuccessful SAS mission to Libya was authorised by Foreign Secretary William Hague. The mission, intended to make contact with the Libyan Leader amid ongoing unrest, failed when six soldiers and two foreign office officials were detained.

The group was dropped by helicopter in eastern Libya on Friday 4th February but were later seized and taken to a military base by opposition fighters.

Speaking about the mission Hague said: "The team went to Libya to initiate contacts with the opposition. They experienced difficulties, which have now been satisfactorily resolved. They have now left Libya." He added that another mission would be sent to Libya “in due course”.

Sources: BBC News, Reuters, The Guardian

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

Qadhafi says he is still in Tripoli

Libya's leader Colonel Mu'ammar Qadhafi has labelled foreign news agencies “dogs”, and dismissed reports that he has fled abroad amid protests sweeping the country. In an interview with State TV, Qadhafi said: "I am in Tripoli and not in Venezuela. Do not believe these channels - they are dogs." Qadhafi's television appearance came shortly after Libyan security forces clashed with the demonstrators in Tripoli for the second day in a row.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon spoke to Qadhafi on Monday 21st February, and shortly after announced that the UN Security Council is to meet in a closed session to discuss Libya. Ban Ki-moon said: "I urged him that the human rights and freedom of assembly and freedom of speech must be fully protected."

Libya's diplomats at the UN called for international intervention to stop the government's brutality against street demonstrations. Criticism over Qadhafi's handling of protesters has come from several senior figures, including Libya's diplomat in the US Ali Aujali who said, he was "not supporting the government killing its people". And, Deputy Permanent Representative Ibrahim Dabbashi who said his countrymen had to be protected from "genocide".

Meanwhile, Libyan State TV denied any unlawful killings, dismissing the reports as "baseless lies" by international media. One statement released by the Libyan broadcasting authority said: "You should know that this is part of the psychological warfare, lies and rumours which you should resist because they are aimed at demolishing your morale, stability and blessings for which they envy you…Rumours are a poison which you should not drink. False news peddled by satellite TVs are arrows which you should deflect towards their throats."

Sources: BBC News, Arab New , Aljazeera, ABC News

For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.

Iran to legally pursue bombings of nuclear scientists

A senior Iranian official has said that the Iranian Parliament (Majlis) is going to take-up the case of the recent car bombings against two Iranian nuclear scientists with the UN.

“The Human Rights Committee of Majlis will follow up the issue through the UN and the Human Rights Council,” said Chairwoman of Human Rights Subcommittee of Majlis, Zohreh Elahian.

Elahian insisted that Majlis will take the matter up with the relevant authorities and pursue it legally until it is resolved, in line with the country's efforts to defend its nuclear rights.

Suspected terrorists planted explosives in both Dr Majid Shahriari's and Prof Fereydoun Abbasi's cars on 29th November. Shahriari was killed instantly, while Abbasi and his wife escaped the bombing with minor injuries.

Iranian foreign minister, Manouchehr Mottaki, said earlier that Tehran was going to send a letter to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon to lament the attacks and call on Ki-moon to put the matter on his agenda.

Earlier in the year, another Iranian scientist, Masoud Ali Mohammadi, was killed in a similar attack. Iran has accused the West and Israel of carrying out these assassinations, and criticised both for failing to condemn the attacks.

Source: PressTV

For more news and expert analysis about Iran, please see Iran Strategic Focus.