Thousands of migrants from Libya land in Sicily, Italy
LAMPEDUSA, Italy — Italian security sources reported the arrival of nearly a thousand immigrants to the coast of Lampedusa, Sicily over the past two nights.
“Patrolmen and Port Guards participated in 5 rescue operations which carried more than 100 people to the island,” the sources stated, adding that “During the past two days, nearly a thousand immigrants arrived on the island.” Independent monitoring rescue and anchoring operations have been continuing for weeks.
This large flow of refugees to Italy comes a day after a speech by the spokesperson for the Libyan National Army (LNA), Major General Ahmed al-Mismari, in which he accused Turkey of smuggling about 1,000 Syrian mercenaries from Libya towards Europe, specifically Italy. He also indicated that this smuggling operation took place in areas under the control of the Turkish-allied Fayez al-Sarraj militias.
In related news, Turkey continues to transfer its Syrian mercenaries to Libya, which was also stated by al-Mismari on Friday evening. He released a video in which the LNA show documented evidence of Syrian mercenaries being transferred to Libya. Al-Mismari considered this matter as a blatant challenge to the international demands for a ceasefire.
“The world is watching, and Turkey is expanding,” wrote al-Mismari on Facebook.
Syriac Maronite Patriarch al-Rai hosts discusses Lebanon’s political and social challenges with domestic and international delegations
BETH KERKE, Lebanon — Syriac Maronite Patriarch Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rai welcomed a diverse …
