New jail term for Tunisian opposition chief Ghannouchi

Rached Ghannouchi, the jailed leader of the Tunisian opposition party Ennahdha, was sentenced Thursday to a new three-year prison term for the illegal financing of his party, his lawyer said. (Reuters/File)

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Updated 01 February 2024

AFP

February 01, 2024 21:41

New jail term for Tunisian opposition chief Ghannouchi

A rival of Tunisia's President Kais Saied, Ghannouchi was sentenced for receiving "foreign financing" for the Islamist party
Ghannouchi, 82, was arrested in April 2023 for inciting violence and plotting against state security

Updated 01 February 2024

AFP

February 01, 2024 21:41

TUNIS: Rached Ghannouchi, the jailed leader of the Tunisian opposition party Ennahdha, was sentenced Thursday to a new three-year prison term for the illegal financing of his party, his lawyer said.
A rival of Tunisia's President Kais Saied, Ghannouchi -- who was already serving a 15-month prison sentence over charges related to "terrorism" -- was sentenced for receiving "foreign financing" for the Islamist party, his lawyer Sami Triki told AFP.
His son-in-law Rafik Abdessalam, a former foreign minister, was tried in absentia in the same case and also sentenced to three years in prison.
In addition to the prison sentences for Ghannouchi and his son-in-law, Ennahdha was ordered to pay a fine of $1.17 million.
Ghannouchi, 82, was arrested in April 2023 for inciting violence and plotting against state security, after he said that eradicating differing political viewpoints from left-wing or Islamist parties might lead to a "civil war" in the North African country.
He was convicted last May and sentenced to 12 months in jail, which was then lengthened to 15 months on appeal in October.
His conviction followed a complaint from a police union over comments he had made in early 2022 during the funeral of an Ennahdha official.
He had said the official "did not fear the powerful nor tyrants", a comment which prosecutors said disparaged police officers.
"Ghannouchi has been in jail for a year at the doing of the prince (Saied)," veteran politician Ahmed Nejib Chebbi, who heads Tunisia's main opposition coalition the National Salvation Front, told AFP on Thursday.
"He has no guarantee of a fair trial. He has refused to present himself for trial, and he has my complete backing.
"When there is respect for human rights and freedoms and justice is independent, then we can talk about a fair trial," Chebbi added.
"All that's happening now is those in power taking revenge on their adversaries."
Ghannouchi, whose party dominated Tunisia following the 2011 revolt that toppled the dictatorship of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, is the most well-known opposition figure imprisoned since Saied's power grab in July 2021.
Rights groups have since reported a crackdown on opposition figures, including politicians and businessmen.
They include the arrest on October 5 last year and jailing of Abir Moussi, head of the Free Destourian Party, a movement often described as nostalgic for the dictatorship independence hero Habib Bourguiba and his successor Ben Ali.

UN commission warns against placing already struggling Syrians in crossfire again

Updated 5 sec ago

Ephrem Kossaify

December 03, 2024 22:35

UN commission warns against placing already struggling Syrians in crossfire again

Syrian civil war back in spotlight amid largest rebel offensive in years
‘Brutality of past years must not be repeated,’ says commission chair

Updated 5 sec ago

Ephrem Kossaify

December 03, 2024 22:35

NEW YORK: The Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Syrian Arab Republic expressed concerns on Tuesday that the renewed flareup of violence in the country will once again place civilians — already enduring years of war, economic collapse, and the brutality of armed groups and security forces — in the crossfire.

The Syrian civil war has been back in the spotlight since last week, when a coalition of opposition forces launched their largest offensive against the government in years.

They quickly swept through villages outside Aleppo and now say they control much of the city, meeting little resistance as the Syrian military quickly withdrew.

The government’s key ally Russia is conducting airstrikes against rebels who are now fighting the Syrian military in the central city of Hama.

There are reports of civilian casualties, displacements of tens of thousands of people, damage to civilian infrastructure, and interruption in essential services and humanitarian aid. 

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric on Monday said: “Syrians have endured the conflict for nearly 14 years. They deserve a political horizon that will deliver a peaceful future — not more bloodshed.”

As hostilities risk spreading across the country, the commission of inquiry urged all parties to the conflict to “strictly” adhere to international law and ensure the protection of civilians.

“We are investigating reported attacks impacting civilian infrastructure in the city of Aleppo, including at least one hospital and a university dorm, as well as reported airstrikes on Idlib city and other densely populated civilian areas,” said Commissioner Hanny Megally.

“Both the airstrikes and the rapid changes in territorial control are causing massive displacement of civilians.”

The commission was established in 2011 by the UN Human Rights Council with a mandate to investigate all alleged violations of international human rights law since the beginning of the war earlier that year.

Paulo Sergio Pinheiro, the commission’s chair, warned that the “brutality of past years must not be repeated,” and stressed that Syria must not veer toward a new cycle of atrocities.

He called on all factions involved to break from past patterns of violence and uphold human rights in line with the Geneva Conventions.

There are reports that the fighting could expand to other areas, with the government and its allies reportedly preparing a counteroffensive.

The commission has said it is closely monitoring the treatment of minorities and prisoners of war as opposition forces advance into government-controlled areas.

Particularly concerning is the situation in northern Aleppo, where the opposition Syrian National Army has taken control of areas with a Kurdish population, the commission said.

“There are some welcome statements by parties indicating that they intend to ensure the protection of the civilian population and their rights, so what is required is that their deeds match their words in the coming days and that humanitarian actors on the ground obtain the access and sufficient resources to alleviate suffering,” said Commissioner Lynn Welchman.

Topics: Syria Hama Stephane Dujarric

Woman, child among civilians killed as Israeli attacks continue in Lebanese border area

Updated 12 min ago

NAJIA HOUSSARI

December 03, 2024 22:13

Woman, child among civilians killed as Israeli attacks continue in Lebanese border area

PM Mikati says diplomatic communications have intensified to ‘stop Israeli violations of ceasefire’
Three Merkava tanks were spotted advancing toward Burj Al-Molouk, marking the first time an Israeli incursion has reached this area

Updated 12 min ago

NAJIA HOUSSARI

December 03, 2024 22:13

BEIRUT: Cautious calm prevailed in southern Lebanon following an intense night that shook the ceasefire agreement.

Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati said on Tuesday that diplomatic communications had intensified since Monday to stop Israeli violations of the ceasefire.

The Lebanese authorities documented 47 Israeli violations of the agreement as of Monday morning.

Hezbollah retaliated on Monday, targeting the Shebaa Farms and the Galilee.

The Israeli military responded by targeting southern villages where residents had just returned, killing six civilians, including a woman and a child in Haris, according to the Ministry of Health.

Two injured people were pulled from the rubble of their house.

The Israeli targets included Jabal Safi, Louaizi, Mlikh, Bouslaiya, Deir Al-Zahrani, and the outskirts of Arnoun.

Although Israeli officials had threatened to launch a severe attack on Beirut in response to Monday’s developments, urgent calls were made to reduce tensions.

Israeli media outlets reported that significant US pressure prevented Israel from attacking Beirut on Monday.

Mikati met with US Gen. Jasper Jeffers, who chairs the monitoring committee.

Mikati said: “During the calls, we emphasized the need for stability so the displaced people could return to their villages and areas, in addition to widely deploying the Lebanese Army troops in the south.”

His remarks came as Israeli forces that advanced into the border area in southern Lebanon continued to violate the ceasefire agreement by targeting towns outside the area in which they are located while warning residents against entering.

For the third consecutive day, Avichai Adraee, the spokesperson for the Israeli military, warned residents of the border area against moving south of the line of the following villages: Shebaa, Habbariyeh, Marjayoun, Arnoun, Yohmor, Qantara, Shaqra, Baraashit, Yater and Mansouri until further notice.

He said anyone who moved south of the line put themselves at risk.

On Tuesday, an Israeli drone targeted the town of Beit Lif in the Bint Jbeil district.

The Israeli military opened fire with machine guns in a neighborhood in the town of Haboush.

Security reports indicated that an Israeli armored force penetrated the towns of Khiam and Wazzani, spreading across several neighborhoods.

Three Merkava tanks were spotted advancing toward Burj Al-Molouk, marking the first time an Israeli incursion has reached this area.

On Monday night, the Israeli military’s violations reached the town of Kfar Melki in the Sidon district.

On Tuesday, the Lebanese Armed Forces deployed in Tyre and its surroundings to maintain security, marking the start of the redeployment of army units, especially in the border villages, under the ceasefire agreement.

The Civil Defense units affiliated with Hezbollah continued to retrieve the remains of victims who perished during the war and who were not buried in their hometowns due to extensive hostilities.

The majority of these remains belong to Hezbollah fighters.

The head of the Tyre District Medical Department, Dr. Wissam Ghazal, said that 192 victims had been handed over, and the Ministry of Health, the Civil Defense, and the Disaster Unit of the Municipal Union were working to facilitate the humanitarian operations.

The Iranian ambassador to Lebanon, Mojtaba Amani, made a public appearance after recovering from a significant injury incurred from the detonation of a pager device he was carrying, which was triggered by Israel’s actions against Hezbollah.

During his visit to the southern suburbs of Beirut, he emphasized Iran’s continued support for Lebanon and its assistance in the reconstruction efforts.

Topics: Battlefield Lebanon Najib Mikati Jasper Jeffers

Cash crunch pushes Libyans to bank cards despite hurdles

A man counts U.S. dollars at a currency exchange office in Tripoli, Libya April 24, 2016. (REUTERS)

Updated 23 min 13 sec ago

AFP

December 03, 2024 22:14

Cash crunch pushes Libyans to bank cards despite hurdles

Libya has been wracked by instability and conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi

Updated 23 min 13 sec ago

AFP

December 03, 2024 22:14

MISRATA, Libya: In Libya, a shortage of cash in the banking system has pushed many to turn to cards for payments after more than a decade of war and instability has hammered the country’s financial system.
Across most Libyan cities, withdrawing money is akin to an obstacle course in which hundreds wait, often for hours, outside heavily guarded banks for a turn to take out cash.
But the money all too often runs out early due to short supply.
Mistrust in that system means money is rarely reinjected back into banks, with Libyans preferring instead to keep cash on hand.
And while cashless culture has yet to take root, “the younger generations are easily adopting it,” said Abdullah Al-Gatet, an employee at a bank in Misrata, the country’s third largest city.
Withdrawals at bank counters are capped at 1,000 dinars ($206) each time.
This, along with the cash shortage, means civil servants who make up the bulk of Libya’s working population often receive their salaries late.
There is a growing awareness among Libyans of “the importance of electronic solutions to facilitate daily transactions, especially in times of liquidity crisis,” said 30-year-old Gatet, “even if the infrastructure is still insufficient.”

Libya has been wracked by instability and conflict since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi.
It is currently divided between a United Nations-recognized government in the capital Tripoli and a rival administration in the east backed by general Khalifa Haftar.
In Misrata, a major port city and commercial hub about 200 kilometers (120 miles) from Tripoli, the population of 400,000 are increasingly signing up to receive bank cards.
But the shift toward cash-free transactions is not without stumbling blocks.
There are few ATM machines and many vendors do not accept card payments as they are not equipped with payment terminals.
Economist Khaled Al-Delfaq, 42, said that while the shortages have pushed many to shift to using cards, there needs to be an accompanying shift in awareness, and work needs to be done to “make these services more accessible.”
But in the seeming absence of other options, many have already been converted.
Among those are Mohamed Al-Soussi, who was shopping for his family at a supermarket in Misrata.
“Transactions are more simple with the card. I don’t need to carry large wads of cash with me anymore,” he said.

Libya’s political upheaval has also precipitated another strange side-effect — multiple prints of 50-dinar banknotes.
Libya’s institutions have since 2014 been caught between the two camps vying for power in the oil-rich country, and its central bank is no exception.
Until last year, it had been split in two, with an internationally recognized headquarters in the capital and another in the east, with each printing bills signed off by their respective governors.
In 2012, new 50-dinar bills, the largest available denomination, were put into circulation to make life easier for consumers who often make cash payments in the thousands.
But last April, the central bank announced the withdrawal of those notes from circulation due to the proliferation of counterfeits.
“The situation became even more complicated with businesses refusing the 50-dinar bills,” said Moussab Al-Haddar, a 45-year-old teacher who was visiting his bank branch to request a card.
The central bank had initially set a deadline for the end of August for the notes to go out of circulation, before extending it to the end of the year.
In a bid to address the current crisis, the bank injected 15 billion dinars into the system in late October, while urging banks to facilitate the issuing of cards to clients.

Topics: Libya financial system in Libya

Turkish court jails protesters over Erdogan speech disruption

Updated 03 December 2024

Reuters

December 03, 2024 19:05

Turkish court jails protesters over Erdogan speech disruption

The protesters said the government was failing to uphold its pro-Palestinian rhetoric
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the group had coordinated their actions inside and outside the venue and sought their detention pending trial

Updated 03 December 2024

Reuters

December 03, 2024 19:05

ANKARA: A Turkish court has jailed pending trial nine protesters who disrupted President Tayyip Erdogan’s speech in Istanbul last week, accusing his government of continuing oil exports to Israel despite a publicized embargo.
The incident occurred during Erdogan’s televised address at a forum on Friday, where the protesters said the government was failing to uphold its pro-Palestinian rhetoric.
They chanted slogans such as “Ships are carrying bombs to Gaza” and “Stop fueling genocide.”
Erdogan responded sharply.
“My child, don’t become the mouthpiece of Zionists here. No matter how much you try to provoke by acting as their voice, mouth, and eyes, you will not succeed,” he said.
“Zionists around the world know very well where Tayyip Erdogan stands. But it seems you still haven’t understood.”
Police removed the demonstrators from the event, and prosecutors charged them with insulting the president and participating in an illegal demonstration.
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said the group had coordinated their actions inside and outside the venue and sought their detention pending trial.
The arrests have drawn strong criticism from opposition politicians and rights advocates. Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Ozgur Ozel denounced the detentions as a blow to democracy.
“The decision to arrest nine young people who protested Tayyip Erdogan proves the grave situation our country’s democracy has fallen into,” Ozel said.
“These young people were exercising their right to free expression and should be released immediately.”

Topics: War on Gaza Turkiye President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Israel Protests

Israeli leaders applaud Trump pledge on hostages, Gazans fear the worse

Updated 03 December 2024

Reuters

December 03, 2024 14:29

Israeli leaders applaud Trump pledge on hostages, Gazans fear the worse

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said: “This is the way to bring back the hostages: by increasing the pressure and the costs for Hamas and its supporters“
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said simply on X: “Thank you President Trump“

Updated 03 December 2024

Reuters

December 03, 2024 14:29

JERUSALEM/CAIRO: Israeli leaders hailed on Tuesday a pledge by US President-elect Donald Trump that there would be “hell to pay” in the Middle East unless hostages held in the Gaza Strip were released ahead of his Jan. 20 inauguration.
The reaction in Gaza was less enthusiastic.
Writing on Truth Social, and without naming any group, Trump said the hostages had to be freed by the time he was sworn in.
If his demand was not met, he said: “Those responsible will be hit harder than anybody has been hit in the long and storied History of the United States of America.”
During their deadly 2023 attack on Israel, Hamas-led militants captured more than 250 people. Some have been released or freed but around half of them are still in Gaza, although at least a third of these are believed to be dead.
Israeli ministers lined up to thank Trump for his hard-hitting words.
“How refreshing it is to hear clear and morally sound statements that do not create a false equivalence or call for addressing ‘both sides’, but rather clarify who are the good and who are the bad,” said Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich.
“This is the way to bring back the hostages: by increasing the pressure and the costs for Hamas and its supporters, and defeating them, rather than giving in to their absurd demands.”
Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said simply on X: “Thank you President Trump.”
Likewise the families of the missing hostages expressed their gratitude. “It is now evident to all: the time has come. We must bring them home NOW,” the families forum said.

NEGOTIATIONS STALLED
Israel and Hamas have held on-off negotiations since October 2023, but after an initial hostage release in November, little progress has been made with both sides blaming each other.
Responding to Trump’s post, senior Hamas official Basem Naim said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had sabotaged all efforts to secure a deal that involved exchanging the hostages for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons.
“Therefore, we understand (Trump’s) message is directed first at Netanyahu and his government to end this evil game,” he told Reuters.
Gaza political analyst Ramiz Moghani said Trump’s threat was directed at both Hamas and its backer Iran, and warned that it would embolden Israel to not expel Palestinians from swathes of Gaza but also annex the nearby, Israeli-occupied West Bank.
“These statements have serious implications for the Israeli war in Gaza and the West Bank,” he told Reuters.
Mohammed Dahlan, like hundreds of thousands of Gazans, has had to flee his house because of the fighting and is desperate for the war to end. But he said he was shocked by Trump.
“We were hoping that the new administration would bring with it a breakthrough .... but it seems (Trump) is in complete agreement with the Israeli administration and that there are apparently more punitive measures ahead,” he said.

Topics: War on Gaza President-elect Donald Trump Hamas Israeli Hamas hostages

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New jail term for Tunisian opposition chief Ghannouchi

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