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Khairi Saadallah, the suspect in the Reading terror attack, is understood to be a Libyan national who came to Britain as a refugee from the countrys civil war, which began in 2014 during attempts to build a democratic state after the fall of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi.

Neighbours said a close family member of Saadallahs had fought in Libya against Gaddafi and had faced anti-Muslim abuse after the familys arrival in the UK.

Gary, a neighbour who did not wish to give his surname, told the Guardian: All he [Khairi Saadallahs relative] wanted was a quiet life. The first time I met him was when I heard people shouting anti-Muslim abuse at him. They called him a terrorist. I told them they were a bunch of liars When there was trouble [with anti-Muslim abuse], I wrapped my arms around him and said dont react, they are the ones in the wrong.

He added that Saadallahs family member was disgusted by the actions of the Manchester bomber, who was also from a Libyan family. Salman Abedi killed 22 people after an Ariana Grande concert at Manchester Arena in 2017. Born in Manchester in the UK, Abedi had been rescued by the Royal Navy from the civil war in Libya three years earlier, alongside other British citizens.

Gary said he did not think Saadallah, now 25, had fought in the conflict. I didnt think [Saadallah] fought in Libya because he was too young, he said. They were not massively religious. They were good to people.

British relations with Libya and its diaspora have been coloured by the UK governments often ambivalent relations with Gaddafi, the UKs active support for his ousting in 2011, and the UKs diplomatic efforts to try to secure an end to the widening civil war.

That on-off war, fed by the inability of Libyans to reach a political distribution of power and wealth between east and west, has reached a new fever pitch in recent months.

The backwash from the 2011 intervention led indirectly to the Manchester bombing. Abedi, 22,, whose parents fled Libya in 1994, returned to the country after Gaddafis fall in 2011 only to come back to the UK as the fighting continued in Libya. Abedi and his family developed links to the Libyan Islamic Fighting group, an Islamist group that helped oust Gaddafi.

After initial suspicions of a terrorist network, police later said they believed Abedi had largely acted alone but then came to realise the extent to which he had been working with his brother. In March 2020, his brother, Hashem Abedi, was found guilty of 22 counts of murder in relation to the attack. He had been in Libya at the time of the detonation.

In May 2017, MI5 launched an internal inquiry into its handling of the warnings it had received about Abedi and a second inquiry into how it missed the danger. MI5 admitted it had a policy of allowing Libyans in the UK to travel to fight against Gaddafi and return later, including some who had been under house arrest in the UK for counter-terrorist measures.

In November 2018, parliaments intelligence and security committee declared that MI5 had acted too slowly in its dealings with Abedi. The committees report noted: What we can say is that there were a number of failings in the handling of Salman Abedis case.

See the article here:
Reading terror suspect came to UK as refugee from Libyan civil war - The Guardian

During a visit by Algerian President Abdelmajid Tebboune to the Ministry of National Defence in Algiers on June 2, the Armys chief of staff, Major General Said Chengriha, spoke highly of the proposed preliminary draft to revise the countrys constitution presented on May 8 by the head of state. Among the proposed amendments was one article which purports to constitutionally authorise the National Peoples Army (ANP) to intervene outside Algerias national borders.

But why introduce this article into yet another grooming of Algerias 1976 constitution? The ANP has never refrained from intervening outside Algerian borders, especially in Egypt in 1967 and 1973. As for the security forces, they intervened in Lebanon to release hostages, and more recently in the east of Libya to rescue a French commando that had been ambushed in Cyrenaica. Endorsed by the armys magazine El-Djeich, this article underscores Algerias absence from the Libyan crisis since 2011, the worst crisis in the central Mediterranean in decades.

This absence contrasts with the decisive role of France, the United Kingdom and the United States in 2011. At that time, the ANP lost a unique opportunity to influence the course of events in Libya. Algeria had the necessary cards to weigh in on Muammar Qaddafi, who was threatening the inhabitants of Benghazi. It had well-trained land forces, a significant air force, good relations with local tribes in western Libya and well-respected diplomats. But former President Abdelaziz Bouteflika proved to be a poor tactician, and Sarkozys France took over.

Since his election as president in 1999, Bouteflika never ceased to dismiss competent officers in the army. In 2002, he appointed General Ahmed Gaid Saleh as chief of staff of the armed forces. The latter then entered into a conflict with the Directorate of Intelligence (DRS) headed by General Mohamed Mediene, also known as Toufik, and succeeded in dismantling it. The key Ministry of Energy was handed over to Chakib Khelil, who ended up weakening it with eleven years of corrupt management. All through this period, many honest officials were replaced by courtiers from the Bouteflika clan.

The arrival of Ramtane Lamamra at the helm of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2013 did not prevent Algeria from being marginalised on the Libyan issue, in which countries such as France, Italy, Turkey, the UAE and Qatar had been very active. A former ambassador to the United Nations, Washington and the Organization of African Unity, few diplomats are as familiar with African issues as Lamamra. But after being invited last winter to apply for the post of UN envoy to Libya by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, he was vetoed by the United States and the UAE. This setback illustrates rather well Algerias loss of prestige in the world.

There was a time when Algerian diplomacy played a major role in several issues, but those days have been forgotten. During the 1960s, Algeria was at the forefront of the fight for Palestinian rights, and in 1981 it played a crucial role in securing the liberation of American diplomats held hostage in Tehran. Former Algerian Foreign Minister Mohammed Seddik Benyahia was a brilliant diplomat before his tragic demise. His plane was shot down by Saddam Hussein as he was trying to negotiate the end of the Iran-Iraq war in 1982. Those days are but a distant memory now as the weakening of the ANP went hand in hand with the undermining of Algerian diplomacy.

The attack on the Tiguentourine gas field in January 2013 by a commando coming from neighbouring Libya forced Algeria to massively redeploy its army from the west to the east.

Considerable expenses were incurred to secure the long stretch of the countrys Sahara borders, made possible by high oil prices at the time. Today, collapsing oil prices have forced the Algerian government to cut its civilian spending by 50%. But, can the government afford to leave intact the military budget which represents a quarter of total spending? And whats the point of accumulating hundreds of tanks, fighter planes, armoured vehicles and coast guards, only to end up not having any weight or influence in Libya, a country that has such a direct impact on their own security?

The two countries with the greatest influence on Algeria are France and Russia. Neither of them, however, welcomed the rise of Algerias popular protest movement, known as the Hirak, which, until the COVID-19 lockdown, saw millions of citizens demonstrate to demand greater democracy. France supported Bouteflikas ridiculous candidacy for a fifth term until the latter was relieved by the army. It then gave its full support to Gaid Salah, Algerias strong man and a fierce opponent of the Hirak until his death. A former non-commissioned officer in the French army, Gaid Salah is one of the many officers that France can influence, based on the information it holds on this or that file of contracts between the ANP and foreign suppliers, where under the table commissions and retro-commissions flourish.

In Libya, France is concerned about illegal migration to Europe and the influence of the Muslim Brotherhood on the Tripoli government; but it is allied with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar. With the rise of Turkey in Libya, France has lost a lot. In Algeria, it is pressuring the ANP to send Algerian ground troops to Mali, but any such action will be interpreted by millions of Algerians as neo-colonial policy, and the Algerian troops would be seen as auxiliaries to the French army and a parallel would be quickly drawn between them and the famous Algerian Tirailleurs who fought in Europe alongside French troops during the two World Wars.

In Brussels, some have noted the sizable volume of investments made in Algeria by China and Turkey, which exceeds that of all European companies. China is weighing more and more in the region, and Turkey too. Frances constant support for Morocco in the dossier of Western Sahara deprives it of all strategic influence in the Maghreb. Algeria is slow to rethink its military and diplomatic strategy, not to mention its centralised and corrupt economic management. Under these circumstances, it has been, up to now, a safe bet that the ANP will not become an auxiliary force to France in the region. If it did, it would lose an essential part of its historic legitimacy that the National Liberation Army so dearly acquired between 1954 and 1962.

Original post:
Algeria out of the picture in the Libyan crisis and for a reason || AW - The Arab Weekly

The continuing Russian military activities in Libya are causing unease among NATO and its allies, said NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.

In his address during the "Brussels Forum" organized by the "German Marshall Fund" think tank, on Tuesday, Stoltenberg noted that "NATO is "disturbed" and the allies are "concerned" about Russia's increased military activities in Libya.

Stoltenberg stressed that Russia's policy towards the eastern Mediterranean in general is disturbing, pointing to Moscow's approach to increasing its military capabilities in Libya by delivering more warplanes and foreign fighters.

"NATO members have agreed on the need to closely monitor the situation and share intelligence, and at the same time it is necessary to find a political solution to the crisis in Libya, under the auspices of the United Nations," Stoltenberg said.

On the alleged Turkish harassment of French ship in the Mediterranean, Stoltenberg said that this matter concerns two NATO members. "NATO military officials are investigating the incident, as the two sides presented very different narratives about what happened," he added.

On Saturday, Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar denied the French claims saying they were "completely untrue".

An official from the French Defense Ministry claimed in a statement to the media that a Turkish frigate carried out an "extremely aggressive" intervention against a French navy vessel said to be taking part in a NATO mission in the Mediterranean.

See more here:
NATO alarmed by growing Russian activities in Libya - The Libya Observer

By: Express News Service | New Delhi | Published: June 25, 2020 6:41:23 am Members of the Libyan internationally recognised government forces are seen in Al-Swani area in Tripoli, Libya (Reuters)

India on Wednesday said the continuing conflict and instability in Libya is a matter of international concern, and that it supports efforts towards immediate cessation of all hostilities in Libya.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said: The continuing conflict and instability in Libya is a matter of international concern. We support efforts towards immediate cessation of all hostilities in Libya.

We acknowledge the recent international efforts in this direction, including the Berlin International Conference held on 19 January 2020 and the Cairo Declaration of 6 June 2020, and hope that these initiatives will promote the peaceful resolution of the conflict through an intra-Libyan dialogue taking into account the legitimate aspirations of the Libyan people, while preserving Libyas sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he said.

Libya is witnessing tension between warring parties and their foreign backers, and regional tensions threaten a new escalation in the oil-rich countrys years-long conflict.

The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines

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India voices support for halt to hostilities in Libya - The Indian Express

BYFIELD Tritons Tyler Godfrey is everything you could ask for in a student-athlete. Hes an outstanding hockey and baseball player who has served as a two-year captain in both sports while also ranking among the best in the region academically.

Now, hes the first athlete in Triton history to earn Moynihan-Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year honors.

Godfrey, who is committed to play baseball at MIT next year, was selected as the male recipient of the award, which annually honors student-athletes on the North Shore who have demonstrated excellence in their chosen athletic field and in the classroom.Beverlys India Ingemi, an All-State track champion who will be taking her talents to Princeton next year, was honored as the Moynihan Lumber Female Student-Athlete of the Year.

It feels great to be recognized out of all the North Shore athletes to win this award, Godfrey said.Both of my parents have pushed me to be the best I can in the classroom as well as on the athletic field. I value the education part, Ive challenged myself, and Triton has had some really good teachers who have helped me, especially my calculus teacher, Ms. Kathy Norton, and my chemistry and physics teacher, Mr. Ian McBee.

Godfrey became eligible forthe Student-Athlete of the Year honor after being named Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Month for April. The monthly winners are nominated by coaches and athletic directors and selected by a group of local media membersrepresenting the Daily News of Newburyport, Salem News, Daily Item, Gloucester Times and msonewsportsonline.com, and the Student-Athlete of the Year winners each receive a $1,000 scholarship from Moynihan Lumber.

Traditionally the winners receive their scholarship at a special banquet, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Godfrey and Ingemi received their awards during a pair of ceremonies at their respective schools on Tuesday.

For the past two years, Godfrey has ranked among the most impressive athletes in the Greater Newburyport region and beyond. This past winter, Godfrey led Triton hockey to its best season since 1990, captaining the Vikings to the Division 2 North Finals as a defenseman before earning All-CAL and Daily News MVP honors.

Godfrey has also served as Triton baseballs starting catcher for the past few years, and while he was unable to finish his career due to the coronavirus pandemic, he will continue his career in college playing for MIT.

Academically, Godfrey finished as salutatorian of Tritons Class of 2020, posting a 4.74 GPA after also scoring 1,510 on his SATs. This past semester he took five AP classes while serving in a variety of leadership roles, including with the Athletic Leaders Club, Robotics Club, Cribbage Club and Community Service Club. He was in the National Honor Society and Foreign Language Honor Society, took part in Massachusetts Student Government Day twice, served as a class officer his junior and senior years and regularly volunteered with Tritons youth hockey and baseball programs.

Last April he also received a major statewide honor when he was selected as a recipient of the Boston Bruins-MIAA Sportsmanship Award for 2019. Earlier this spring he also received another major honor, earning selection to the Daily News of Newburyports All-Decade team for boys hockey.

Hes one of the best competitors that Ive coached and hes just a fantastic kid and a gentleman, said Triton hockey coach Ryan Sheehan. Hes well deserving of the award.

As for Ingemi, Beverly girls track and field coach Dave Jellerson says she'll go down as the greatest student-athlete in program history.

"Often times I am asked 'who was the best track and field athlete you ever coached?'. I now can answer that question; it is India," said Jellerson, who has led the Beverly High track teams since 1974.

According to the longtime Panther coach, Ingemi leaves The Garden City with 11 school or class records for indoor track alone. She was the Massachusetts indoor 300 meter state champion and won both the 55 dash and 300 events at the Division 2 meet. Ingemi was voted the Outstanding Athlete at the Coaches Invitational and was a three-time NEC Indoor Performer of the Year as well as a three-time Salem News Runner of the Year.

During the outdoor season, Ingemi snared 12 school or class records, was a three-time NEC Runner of the Year and two-time Salem News Runner of the Year. She consistently brought energy, determination and leadership to both practices and meets and always strove to do her very best.

She's also a tremendous student, carrying a 4.74 GPA and earning all A+ grades throughout her only two senior semesters, and she'll attend Princeton University beginning in the fall.

"Definitely at the top," Ingemi said confidently when asked where the award ranked among her many other accolades over the past four years. She was honored with a plaque and $1,000 scholarship check from Jack Moynihan of Moynihan Lumber on Tuesday afternoon at the front entrance of Beverly High.

"I didn't expect this at all. I was just really surprised and extremely honored to even be considered in the first place, so this is definitely at the top."

Godfrey becomes the fourth Greater Newburyport athlete in history to earn Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year honors, joining Newburyports Sam Acquaviva who received the honor last year as well as Amesburys Ashley Waters in 2005 and Amesburys Devon Warwick in 2002.

Ingemi, meanwhile, is the ninth all-time winner from Beverly High. The most recent prior was Hugh Calice in 2017.

***

All-Time Moynihan Lumber Student-Athlete of the Year Winners

Year Male School Female School

2020 Tyler Godfrey Triton India Ingemi Beverly

2019 Sam Acquaviva Newburyport Tracy Wood Gloucester

2018 Andrew Riccio Hamilton-Wenham Jennie Meagher Bishop Fenwick

2017 Hugh Calice Beverly Katerina Hassapis North Reading

2016 Hunter Costa St. Johns Prep Sarah Welch Beverly

2014 Everest Crawford Gloucester Caitlin Harty Beverly

2013 Brendan Flaherty Beverly Catarina Rocha Peabody

2012 Trevor Lyons Hamilton-Wenham Catarina Rocha Peabody

2011 Colin Blackwell St. Johns Prep Becca Graves Bishop Fenwick

2010 Chris Splinter Masconomet Monica Adler Beverly

2009 Dylan Maki Gloucester Emily Lanois Hamilton-Wenham

2008 Nate Brakeley St. Johns Prep Emily Lanois Hamilton-Wenham

2007 Ryan Malo St. Johns Prep Lauren Blodgett Peabody

2006 Alex Perry Danvers Shea Fitzpatrick Lynnfield

2005 Erik Groszyk Salem Ashley Waters Amesbury

2004 Nick Lamson Ipswich Heather Wilson Danvers

2003 Matt Antonelli St. Johns Prep Alexandra Shube Marblehead

2002 Jim Unis Gloucester Devon Warwick Amesbury

2001 Bryan Duggan Danvers Lindsay Dwyer Swampscott

2000 Tristan Colangelo Gloucester Shalene Flanagan Marblehead

1999 Craig Mielcarz Salem Shalene Flanagan Marblehead

1998 Craig Mielcarz Salem Alison Connolly Marblehead

1997 Brian Larivee Danvers Angela Crowell Beverly

1996 Jen Usher Ipswich Derek Thompson Lynn English

1995 Peter Woodfork Swampscott Erin Broderick Beverly

1994 Tom Giardi Salem Becky Blaeser Masconomet

1993 Brett Budzinski Ipswich Sarah McGrath Beverly

1992 Ted Bettencourt Peabody Lauren Maney Lynnfield

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Triton's Tyler Godfrey, Beverly's India Ingemi honored as Moynihan Lumber Student-Athletes of the Year - The Daily News of Newburyport