Libyan self-styled army pushes to take key town near Tripoli
AP, Cairo
The self-styled Libyan National Army says it has been advancing to retake a strategic town near Tripoli from militias allied with a U.N.-supported but weak government based in the country’s capital.
The force, led by Khalifa Hifter, says it advanced to wrest control of Gharyan late on Monday, capturing areas adjunct to the town. Gharyan is located around 100 kilometers, or 62 miles from the capital.
Iran sentences 3 to long prison terms on spying charges
AP, Tehran
Iran has sentenced three people – two women and a man – to lengthy prison terms on security and spying charges, including on behalf of Israel’s Mossad spy agency.
Judiciary spokesman Gholamhossein Esmaili said in remarks broadcast on state TV on Tuesday that one of the two convicted women is Aras Amiri, who had worked for the British Council while allegedly spying on cultural activities in Iran.
Israeli PM calls for global action against Iran
AP, Tehran
Israel’s prime minister is calling on the international community to take action to prevent Iran from carrying out attacks against his country.
Benjamin Netanyahu, who is seeking re-election next month, posted a short video on social media Monday saying Israel will defend itself “however that may be necessary.”
In recent weeks, Israel has allegedly bombed Iranian-backed groups in Lebanon, Syria and Iraq.
Sri Lankan Islamic clerics seek clarity on face veil ban
AP, Colombo
Islamic clerics in Sri Lanka asked Muslim women on Tuesday to continue to avoid wearing face veils until the government clarifies whether they are once again allowed now that emergency rule has ended four months after a string of suicide bomb attacks.
Clerics are wary of the Muslim community being targeted again for violence, as it was in the aftermath of April’s Easter Sunday attacks that killed more than 260 people, said Fazil Farook, spokesman for All Ceylon Jammiyyathul Ulama, Sri Lanka’s largest group of Islamic clerics. Two local radical Muslim groups have been blamed for the attacks.
