Mediaboss Marketing

The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, wished to contribute to resolving the Libyan crisis by inviting to La Celle Saint-Cloud on 25 July 2017 the Chairman of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, Fayez Al Sarraj, and the commander of the Libyan National Army, Khalifa Haftar.

This initiative fully supports the role of the new Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, Ghassan Salam, who took part in the discussions on 25 July. Frances aim is to contribute to drawing up a political solution and helping the Libyans strengthen the Skhirat Libyan Political Agreement to make it more effective and inclusive.

The meeting in La Celle Saint-Cloud follows on from the meetings already held at various levels in Abu Dhabi, Cairo and Algeria, taking up their consensual elements. It aims to foster sustained and inclusive inter-Libyan dialogue in which all actors in good faith have a role to play.

In this context, the following declaration was adopted by the Libyan parties present:

We, Fayez Al Sarraj, Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, and Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, met in La Celle Saint-Cloud on 25 July 2017 at the invitation of the President of the French Republic and in the presence of Ghassan Salam, Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya, in order to advance the cause of national reconciliation, and have agreed as follows:

1. The solution to the Libya crisis can only be a political one and requires a national reconciliation process involving all Libyans, including the institutional, security and military actors who are prepared to participate peacefully, with the safe return of displaced persons and refugees and the creation of a transitional justice, reparation and national amnesty process as well as the implementation of Article 34 on security arrangements of the Libyan Political Agreement.

2. We commit to a ceasefire and to refrain from any use of armed force for any purpose that does not strictly constitute counter-terrorism, in compliance with the Libyan Political Agreement and international treaties, and in order to protect Libyas territory and sovereignty and we strongly condemn all that threatens the stability of the territory.

3. We are committed to building the rule of law in a sovereign, civilian and democratic Libya that ensures the separation and peaceful transfer of powers and respect for human rights, and that has unified national institutions, such as the Central Bank of Libya, the National Oil Corporation and the Libyan Investment Authority. It should guarantee the safety of citizens, the integrity of the territory and the sovereignty of the State and the proper management of natural and financial resources in the interest of all Libyans.

4. We are determined, supported by the impartial work of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, to make effective the Libyan Political Agreement of 17 December 2015 and to continue political dialogue building on the Abu Dhabi meeting of 3 May 2017.

5. We will make all efforts to support the consultations and work of the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General, which need to be the subject of inclusive political dialogue in which the House of Representatives and the High Council of State will play their full role.

6. We will continue our dialogue beyond La Celle Saint-Cloud meeting, pursuant to this declaration, and we commit to create conditions that are conducive to the work of the House of Representatives, the High Council of State and the High National Election Commission for the preparation of the upcoming elections.

7. We will make all efforts to integrate fighters who so wish into the regular forces and call for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of the others into civilian life. The Libyan army will be made up of lawful military forces ensuring the defence of the Libyan territory in compliance with Article 33 of the Libyan Political Agreement.

8. We have decided to work on establishing a roadmap for the security and defence of the Libyan territory against threats and trafficking of all types. We will work so that all security and military forces present adhere to this plan in the framework of the reunification of the military and security institutions in order to coordinate in the fight against terrorism, control migration flows through the Libyan territory, secure and control borders, and combat organized criminal networks that instrumentalize Libya and destabilize the Central Mediterranean.

9. We solemnly commit to work towards the holding of presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible as from 25 July in cooperation with the relevant institutions and with the support and under the supervision of the United Nations.

10. We ask the United Nations Security Council to support the guidelines of this declaration, and the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General to engage in the necessary consultations with the different Libyan actors.

Original post:
Libya - Joint Declaration (Paris, 25 July 2017) - France Diplomatie (press release)

DAKAR (Thomson Reuters Foundation) - Facing abuse and violence in Libya, thousands of African children flee to Italy across the Mediterranean Sea, most of them alone and unprepared for Europe, the United Nations children's agency (UNICEF) said on Tuesday.

The majority of Africa's child migrants leave home without their parents' knowledge - often due to domestic violence or family disputes - and do not aim to go to Europe, but plan to find work in nearby countries, a UNICEF study found.

Yet hundreds of refugee and migrant children told UNICEF in Italy that being kidnapped, arrested and held in prison in Libya, as well as witnessing violence towards other migrants, had compelled them to take the risky sea crossing to Europe.

At least 12,200 children arrived in Italy in the first half of the year, all but a few having traveled alone, UNICEF said.

"Concerns are growing about unaccompanied children on the move, especially in Libya," said UNICEF spokesman Patrick Rose.

The voyage from Libya across the Mediterranean to Italy - often on flimsy boats run by people smugglers - has become the main route to Europe for migrants from Africa after a European Union crackdown last year on sea crossings from Turkey.

At least 20,000 migrants are being detained in Libya, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Many are extorted for money by smugglers and gangs, and rising numbers are traded - in what they call slave markets - for forced labor and sexual exploitation, the IOM says.

"The situation for migrants (in Libya) is very dangerous ... there is an extreme level of violence at the hands of kidnappers," Rose told the Thomson Reuters Foundation by phone.

The UNICEF study, based on interviews with 850 children aged 15 to 17, found that less than half of those who arrived in Italy intended to go to Europe, and that many of their journeys were fragmented and sometimes lasted longer than two years.

More than 7 million children in West and Central Africa are on the move due to violence, poverty and climate change, making up over half of all migrants in the region, according to UNICEF.

Yet most head to other African nations, and only one in five attempt the perilous journey to Europe, the U.N. agency says.

"What is striking about this study is it shows for the first time that there are overwhelmingly far more reasons that push children to leave their homes, than have been previously understood, and fewer pull factors that lure them to Europe," said Afshan Khan, UNICEF director for Europe and Central Asia.

Reporting By Kieran Guilbert, Editing by Ros Russell; Please credit the Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters, that covers humanitarian news, women's rights, trafficking, property rights, climate change and resilience. Visit news.trust.org

See the original post here:
Migrant abuse in Libya drives African children across sea to Europe: UN - Reuters

A kerfuffle between a patron of the Vortex restaurant and the boyfriend of a waiter has lit up Atlantas social media Tuesday.

A couple received what they considered substandard service at the Vortex restaurant in Little Five Points earlier this month. The waiter seemed as if he hated his job and or annoyed he was serving black guests, they told the websiteBlackLivesMatterGreaterAtlanta.com

The patron, Kristina White, decided to leave a zero tip, and explained her reasoning at the bottom of the check: treat everyone the same.

Treat everyone the same Kristina White wrote on the check she received at the Vortex, instead of offering a tip for what she considered bad service. Photo: courtesy Black Lives Matter of Greater Atlanta The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The entire time Ms. White and her friend were at this restaurant they were treated with the utmost disrespect, and lack thereof, wrote Sir Maejor Page, president ofBlack Lives Matter Greater Atlanta, on the groups website.

Their waiters boyfriend, who was on hand at the restaurant, later left critical messages on Whites phone and on her Facebook page, according to the Black Lives Matter website.

According tothe Vortex website, the server, Gaven Greenberg, was terminated and his boyfriend, Patrick Wilkinson, was served with a notice that he is no longer allowed on the property.

The restaurant wrote that it offered her a gift certificate and added In no event will we ever tolerate our patrons being bullied or harassed by anyone, including friends or family of our staff.

The Vortex has perhaps the most distinctive front door of any restaurant in Atlanta. Patrons of the Little Five Points branch enter through the gaping mouth of a swirly-eyed skull sculpture. The restaurant also permits smoking (in designated areas) and adopts a stance that suggests those who dont like smoking shouldnt attend. While were happy to welcome smokers and non-smokers alike, we will never tolerate crybabies, they write on their website.

Though the Black Lives Matter item was titledWhy You Shouldnt Dine At The Vortex a commenter on the BLM site wroteThe Vortex handled this immediately & with class.

Want more news?

Sign up for free e-newsletters to get more of AJC delivered to your inbox.

Go here to read the rest:
Vortex embroiled in Black Lives Matter flap - Atlanta Journal Constitution

In the early hours of Saturday morning, Rashan Charles died after being apprehended by police.

According to the BBC, the 20 year-old was pursued by a Metropolitan Police Officer on foot, after they attempted to stop a car that Rashan was a passenger of, on Kingsland Road, in Hackney, at 1.45am.

He ran into the local off license called 'Yours Locally' in Dalston, where he was seen 'trying to swallow an object'.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The footage of what happens inside the shop is circulating widely on social media.

The CCTV footage shows a struggle as the officer takes down Rashan. Once on the floor the struggle continues for more than a minute, whilst another plain-clothed man sits on the young suspect.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) have released a statement saying they are going to investigate the officer's contact with Rashan.

They also explain that Rashan became unwell at the scene and first aid was given by a police officer as well as paramedics before he was taken to the Royal London Hospital where he subsequently died.

The IPCC state that they believe an object was removed from his throat at the scene.

It is yet unclear how Rashan actually died.

Since his death, social media, particularly Twitter, reacted with outrage.

ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW

The hashtag #JusticeForRash quickly began trending.

Many people were angry at the lack of mainstream coverage, as well as commenting on the apparent force used in the video.

Yesterday afternoon people took to Kingsland Road to protest.

Holding Black Lives Matter posters they stopped traffic chanting 'No justice, no peace.'

Protestors made it clear they believed there is a systemic issue within the police regarding excessive used on people of colour.

Black Lives Matter is a movement stemming from the US that aims to publicise and ultimately end the disproportionate amount of people of colour killed by the police.

His friends left flowers outside the shop and spoke to reporters about his loving and protective nature, with one man telling the Independent, 'He was a brother to me'.

A spokesman from the Metropolitan Police said to the BBC: 'The man entered a shop in Kingsland Road, where he was seen to be trying to swallow an object. The officer intervened and sought to prevent the man from harming himself, but he was then taken ill.'

New NRA Video Is Terrifying And Divisive

Black Girls Begin To Be Discriminated Against When

Go here to read the rest:
Rashan Charles Is The Reason There Was A Black Lives Matter March Last Night - ELLE UK

Demonstrators gather to protest the National Rifle Association on December 21, 2012. (Photo: Joshlopezphoto)BILL BERKOWITZ FOR BUZZFLASH AT TRUTHOUT

If you're a regular reader of BuzzFlash, why not pledge a small monthly gift to support our work? Just make a tax-deductible donation and choose the "recurring" option at checkout.

Without the drummed-up fear that a black president would take guns away from law-abiding citizens, the National Rifle Association is turning toward vilifying and pillorying the Black Lives Matter movement against police brutality in order to drum up gun sales. One of the platforms it now has at its disposal is NRATV. While the fledging network may not yet be among the choices in your cable television package, or available through existing streaming services, given the power of the gun lobbying organization, NRATV may soon be coming to screen near you.

Launched in October of last year, NRATV's declared mission is to provide "The most comprehensive video coverage of Second Amendment issues, events and culture anywhere in the world." The network offers such programing as NRANEWs, presented by Ruger, NRAWOMEN, presented by Smith & Wesson, NRACOUNTRY and NRAHUNTING, as well as an array of commentators.

Grant Stinchfield is a host of a program called Stinchfield. During a recent broadcast, Stinchfield let go a broadside against Black Lives Matter, claiming that "racist violence" in South Africa, "where white families are being tortured and killed almost every day in racist violence. is a warning for the United States." And because of the liberal media, "you will never hear [about this] from the mainstream media in this country."

Stinchfield interviewed Chuck Holton, a veteranArmyRanger, and co-host -- alongside Iran-Contra figure and NRA board member Oliver North -- of the NRATV series Frontlines. Holton who appears to be a master of alternative facts and seems to have a hate/hate relationship with African Americans, maintained that "the blatant racism and violence we're seeing from people like the Black Lives Matter crowd, from people like Louis Farrakhan and his minions,is happening in spades in South Africa."

The Daily Banter's Justin Rosario declared that Holton's words were not just "a racist dog whistle," they were "an open call to violence against Black Lives Matter."

"Pair this with the recent 'liberals are the enemy of freedom' ad that effectively calls on NRA members to get ready to kill anti-Trump protesters and you have a very stark picture of the NRA's agenda," Rosario noted. "No longer content to just sell guns and fear, the gun industry's mouthpiece is actively inciting violence against the left, using both political and racial tensions as a justification.

When Obama welcomed, and shook hands with, then-president-elect Donald Trump at the White House, Holton tweeted: "Photo finally surfaces of Trump grabbing a pussy." And two days after Trump's inauguration, Holton tweeted "Okay! Party's over. Let's get busy scrubbing Obama's mocacchino stain off of America!"

According to Media Matters for America, last August on the NRA's radio show Cam & Company, "Holton talked about gangs, absent fathers, and welfare, before saying, 'And you hear college students complain about white privilege. You know my definition of white privilege? It's just simply the culture that we have created, that our fathers and grandfathers have worked hard to create.' Holton went on describe white privilege as 'a culture of individual responsibility, where you take responsibility for your own actions, a culture that respects authority.' He also positively cited a video about 'white privilege' released by 'alt right' blogger Stefan Molyneux."

Immediately after the attack in Manchester, England, which left 22 dead and dozens injured, Holton told Stinchfield that England "has had this coming," due to the country's firearms regulations, open bordersfor refugees, "multiculturalism" and "gender-bending." At the end of the segment, Stinchfield stated that European countries have "disarmed their citizens, so terrorists operate with impunity."

After the January 21st Women's March on Washington, commentator Bill Whittle had Holton, who also works with Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network, as his guest. Together they blamed the Women's March "for vandalism and property damage that took place on Inauguration Day, January 20," Raw Story reported. Whittle and Holton confidently predicted that a Women's March on the NRA scheduled for July 14 will "certainly not be peaceful."

"Well, they're certainly not peaceful. And they're certainly not even protests. What they are is sort of temper tantrums by spoiled children, is the best way I can describe them," Holton said.

The July 14 and 15 protests against the NRA which included a nearly 18-mile walk from NRA headquarters to the U.S. Department of Justice was carried out peacefully. The events were in part a response to an incendiary one-minute NRA recruitment video, which featured NRA spokeswoman Dana Loesch, who in the video argues that demonstrators "bully and terrorize the law-abiding until the only option left is for the police to do their jobs and stop the madness."

"They use their media to assassinate real news," The Blaze's Dana Loesch said in the ad. "They use their schools to teach children that their president is another Hitler. They use their movie stars and singers and comedy shows and award shows to repeat their narrative over and over again."

Women's March co-president Tamika Mallory called the ad is "direct endorsement of violence" against protesters. "We haven't taken a position that people shouldn't have guns, we don't want to prohibit folks from exercising their second amendment rights," Mallory told CNN ahead of the march. "But the NRA ad puts our First Amendment rights in jeopardy, it puts the lives of people who are exercising their right to protest in the middle of danger.We are looking for a change in NRA's behavior and its policies and practices."

The event's Facebook page urged the NRA to "take down the recent irresponsible and dangerous advertisement videos from all social platforms immediately; issue an apology to the American people for the video that suggests armed violence against communities of color, progressives and anyone who does not agree with this Administration's policies; and make a statement to defend Philando Castile's Second Amendment right to own a firearm and demand the Department of Justice indict the police officer who killed him for exercising his Second Amendment."

Attacks on Black Lives Matter are nothing new. Since the inception of the movement, conservatives have been gunning for the organization. Recently, Jacob Grandstaff, writing for the conservative Capital Research Center website, argued that the Women's March against the NRA "show that the group is primarily concerned withLeft-wing coalition-building and notwomen's issues."

Grandstaff added: "The Women's March characterizes itself as a feminist movement organized in opposition to President Donald Trump and his supposedly anti-women comments and political stances. The anti-NRA demonstration, however, appears to have little to do with women; andinstead meshes morewiththe greater Left's accusations of racism against the NRA."

See the original post:
Attacking Black Lives Matter and Selling Fear: Guns and Racism on NRATV - Truth-Out