The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) denied Saturday issuing a decision to withdraw any bank notes, after rumors spread through some media in this regard. The Libyan News Agency in Tripoli quoted a media source from the CBL as saying that the statement circulated on the social networking pages is false. Earlier, an alleged statement by the CBL stormed the internet claiming that the 6th issue of the 5 and 10 dinar banknotes would be withdrawn from circulation within 2 months. Observers indicated that the rumors were likely to be spread by some black market speculators in order to undermine confidence in the Libyan dinar for temporary gains.
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The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) announced that it had provided psychosocial support to a number of children in southern Libya in cooperation with Sheikh Taher Al-Zawi Charitable Foundation. On its Facebook page, the UNICEF explained that 38 children in Sabha and Ubari had the opportunity to receive psychosocial support in their schools for the first time, noting that this was with the support of the United Nations CERF to ensure that children throughout Libya are able to play and learn, in other words "to be children" as described by the UNICEF.
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, has criticized the western and regional intervention in the Libyan crisis, warning of the consequences that may ensue. In a press statement, Bogdanov said that the ambition of some western and regional players to impose ready-made-solutions on the Libyans is a mistake, and will be counterproductive. "Our principled position is that the Libyans must decide the fate of their own country," he said, insisting that his country has never set a plan or negotiations with any party on resolving the Libyan crisis. The Russian diplomat claimed that Moscow does not support any party in the Libyan internal conflict and is seeking to preserve the unity of Libya and its territorial integrity.
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The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) revealed Sunday that the number of registered persons in the electoral roll has exceeded 2 million voters. Through its website, the HNEC explained that the total number reached 2.355.818 registered voters in the constituencies in Libya, including 846,527 new registrants after the updating of the electoral register, while there are 1,676 registered voters abroad. The head of the HNEC, Imad Sayeh, announced the extension of the voter registration process until February 15 in order to give further opportunity to anyone who wishes to participate in the elections; whereas the process of the voter registration abroad was initiated on February 06.
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The Foreign Ministry in Tripoli has reopened its office in Sirte. In a press statement Saturday, the Director of the Information Office of the Ministry, Ahmed Al-Arbad, said that the branch of the ministry resumed its work at its new headquarters at the Administrative Complex in Sirte, pointing out that the office will provide its services to the residents of the city and the surrounding areas. He added that the step will contribute in reducing the time and effort of carrying out the transactions, indicating that the opening of the new branch comes in the framework of the ministry’s new strategy, which aims to provide consular services at home and abroad. Al-Arbad announced earlier that the Ministry intends to open other branches in several other districts in Libya.
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The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has distributed aid to some 3900 internally displaced persons in Libya over the past 2 months. The IOM clarified Friday through its account on Twitter that the aid included food and hygiene kits, which was distributed to the refugees and displaced persons located in different parts of Libya. According to the latest statistics published by the IOM last month, the number of displaced persons inside Libya amounted to more than 180,000 people.
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US President Donald Trump extended on Friday the state of emergency and sanctions imposed on Libya by his predecessor, Barack Obama, in 2011, which was scheduled to be lifted on February 25. According to UBI, Trump said that they need to prevent the transfer of assets to members of Gaddafi's family and their partners, describing them as the impeding players of the reconciliation process in Libya. "The Gaddafi regime with the assistance of other partners have taken extreme measures against Libyans by using weapons, mercenary groups and violence against defenseless civilians," President Trump said, pointing out that the situation in Libya is a major threat to the national security and foreign policies of the United States.
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Sirte Security Room said it arrested Sunday a gang selling weapons and smuggling fuel at Hafila crossroad in Sirte. On Facebook, the media office of Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous said one of the gangsters confessed to selling weapons and fuel to foreigners in Libya. The media office said also that the gang members opened fire on the arresting personnel as they were chasing their cars aboard which there were fuel barrels, "but no injuries occurred."
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Tobruk criminal investigation department found the kidnapped 8-year-old boy named Mohammed Al-Maryami on Sunday after being away for 6 days. The boy was abducted from in front of his house in Manara neighborhood and later the kidnappers called for ransom. The 8-year-old was handed back to his family this morning, the department said, adding that investigations for bringing the abductors to justice is still ongoing.
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