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Straits Times
15-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Sweden will contribute to new Ukraine arms shipment plans, defence minister says
Find out what's new on ST website and app. FILE PHOTO: Sweden's Minister of Defence Pal Jonson attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on the eve of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo STOCKHOLM - Sweden will contribute to efforts to boost arms supplies to Ukraine following U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to supply billions of dollars of weapons, including Patriot missile systems, via NATO. "We welcome the American decision to make possible increased sanctions against Russia and to pave the way for the delivery of Patriots and other weapon systems to Ukraine," Swedish Defence Minister Pal Jonson said in an emailed comment to Reuters. "Sweden will contribute." Jonson did not provide further about the support, REUTERS
Straits Times
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
EU migration commissioner was denied entry to eastern Libya over 'protocol issue', EU spokesperson says
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Magnus Brunner, the nominee to become the European Union's commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, faces a confirmation hearing before a European Parliament committee, in Brussels, Belgium November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo BRUSSELS - The European Union's migration commissioner was barred from entering eastern Libya because of a "protocol issue", an EU spokesperson said on Wednesday. In addition to EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, ministers from Italy, Malta, and Greece were also denied entry. "What happened in Benghazi was there was a protocol issue. This is why it was not possible to carry out the planned meetings," EU spokesperson Markus Lammert told the EU's daily press briefing. "The EU will maintain open channels of communication and we will continue working in a Team Europe approach with all actors involved." The delegation had arrived at Benghazi airport to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after meeting the internationally recognised government that controls the west of Libya. The EU mission in the country centred around "the recent increase of irregular arrivals from Libya," Lammert said. On Monday, the Hamad government warned that all foreign visitors and diplomats must get prior approval before entering or travelling within Libya. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Asia Malaysia confirms existence of document central to ex-PM Najib's house arrest bid, say reports Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore Goodbye fraudsters? Dating app Coffee Meets Bagel rolls out identity verification Asia Amid handshakes and familiar friends, Asean navigates tariffs and tension in KL Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has been on a route for migrants heading to Europe. Factional conflict has divided the country since 2014. REUTERS
The Star
08-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Libya's eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers
FILE PHOTO: Magnus Brunner, the nominee to become the European Union's commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, faces a confirmation hearing before a European Parliament committee, in Brussels, Belgium November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo TRIPOLI (Reuters) -The European Union migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece were denied entry to the eastern part of divided Libya on Tuesday as they had disregarded "Libyan national sovereignty", the Benghazi-based government said. The delegation had arrived to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after a meeting with the rival, internationally recognised government that controls the west of Libya. The delegation included EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek Migration and Asylum minister Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. The Benghazi-based government said the visit was cancelled upon the delegation's arrival at Benghazi airport whereupon the ministers were declared persona non grata and told to leave Libyan territory immediately. Members of the European delegation did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Hamad government had said on Monday all foreign visitors and diplomatic missions should not come to Libya and move inside the country without its prior permission. Earlier in the day the EU delegation had met in Tripoli with the U.N.-recognised government of Abdulhamid Dbiebah to discuss the migration crisis before flying to Benghazi. Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean since the fall in 2011 of dictator Muammar Gaddafi to a NATO-backed uprising. Factional conflict has split the country since 2014. Dbeibah said during the meeting he had tasked his interior ministry with developing a national plan to tackle migration "based on practical cooperation with partners and reflecting a clear political will to build sustainable solutions". (Reporting and writing by Ahmed Elumami with additional reporting by Ayman Werfali in Benghazi; editing by Alexander Dziadosz and Mark Heinrich)
Straits Times
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Libya's eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Magnus Brunner, the nominee to become the European Union's commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, faces a confirmation hearing before a European Parliament committee, in Brussels, Belgium November 5, 2024. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/File Photo TRIPOLI - The European Union migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece were denied entry to the eastern part of divided Libya on Tuesday as they had disregarded "Libyan national sovereignty", the Benghazi-based government said. The delegation had arrived to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after a meeting with the rival, internationally recognised government that controls the west of Libya. The delegation included EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek Migration and Asylum minister Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. The Benghazi-based government said the visit was cancelled upon the delegation's arrival at Benghazi airport whereupon the ministers were declared persona non grata and told to leave Libyan territory immediately. Members of the European delegation did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Hamad government had said on Monday all foreign visitors and diplomatic missions should not come to Libya and move inside the country without its prior permission. Earlier in the day the EU delegation had met in Tripoli with the U.N.-recognised government of Abdulhamid Dbiebah to discuss the migration crisis before flying to Benghazi. Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean since the fall in 2011 of dictator Muammar Gaddafi to a NATO-backed uprising. Factional conflict has split the country since 2014. Dbeibah said during the meeting he had tasked his interior ministry with developing a national plan to tackle migration "based on practical cooperation with partners and reflecting a clear political will to build sustainable solutions". REUTERS
The Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Finland hails plan for allies to join NATO land forces on its soil
FILE PHOTO: Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen attends a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group on the eve of a NATO defence ministers' meeting at the alliance's headquarters in Brussels, Belgium February 12, 2025. REUTERS/Johanna Geron/ File Photo HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finnish Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen hailed plans on Wednesday for six NATO member states including Britain and France to participate in land forces that are to be established in northern Finland. Finland, which has a longer border with Russia than any other NATO state, has strengthenedthe frontier in the two years since it joined the military alliance following a policy U-turn after Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. "I am very pleased that yesterday, in connection with the ministerial meeting, we were able to announce that Sweden, the United Kingdom, France, Norway, Denmark and Iceland are set to join FLF Finland," Hakkanen said on X, referring to what NATO calls Forward Land Forces. NATO leaders were meeting on Wednesday in The Hague. Helsinki and Stockholm agreed last year that Sweden would lead the establishment of a NATO land force in Finland and invited other allies to participate. The number of troops is yet to be defined. But the Finnish defence ministry has said that there is a plan for up to a brigade - about 5,000 soldiers - and a significant number of equipment to be brought in if the security situation worsens. The first NATO land forces will start to arrive this year and be placed above the Arctic circle in Rovaniemi and Sodankyla, it said. In addition to the foreign reinforcement force in the north, Finland will host a new NATO land force headquarters for officers in Mikkeli, southern Finland, an about two-hourdrive from the Finnish-Russian border. (Reporting by Anne Kauranen in Helsinki, Editing by Timothy Heritage)
