Libyan parliament warns against interference in internal affairs
TRIPOLI, Feb 26: The Foreign Affairs Committee of Libya's eastern-based House of Representative (parliament) on Monday warned against the interference in Libya's internal affairs by ambassadors of some countries and international organizations. In a statement, the committee called on them to abide by diplomatic norms and charters that govern their work. In addition, the committee stressed that the eastern-based army's anti-terrorism operation in southern Libya is a "sacred national duty to restore stability and security." — Xinhua
US, Taliban express optimism about talks
DOHA, Feb 26: The United States and the Taliban have expressed optimism about the latest round of talks aimed at ending the 17-year war in Afghanistan. US envoy Zalmay Khalilzad says the talks, which carried into their second day on Tuesday, represent a "significant moment." The Taliban have also indicated progress, and the presence of Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, a co-founder of the movement and veteran battlefield commander, has further raised expectations. — AP
France under fire for its handling of recent crisis
PARIS, Feb 26: A top European official is criticising French authorities for their handling of the anti-government protests that have rocked the country in recent months, urging them to "show more respect for human rights." Following a visit to Paris last month, Council of Europe Human Rights Commissioner Dunja Mijatovic wrote a memorandum released Tuesday in which she also asked the French government to "refrain from introducing excessive restrictions to freedom of peaceful assembly" via a bill currently under debate in the French parliament. — AP
Zambia arrests opposition leader for remarks
LUSAKA, Feb 26: An opposition leader in Zambia was arrested on Monday for making disparaging remarks about foreigners. Chishimba Kambwili, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, was arrested when he went to a police station in Lusaka, the country's capital, where he was summoned for questioning. Police spokesperson Esther Mwaata-Katongo said the opposition leader was arrested for expressing or showing hatred against foreigners. — Xinhua
Move to salvage Norway frigate that sank
OSLO, Feb 26: The operation has begun to raise a Norwegian naval frigate that sank last year in a harbor north of Bergen following a collision with an oil tanker. Anders Penna of the salvage company in charge of raising the KNM Helge Ingstad says it is "very complex and demanding operation," adding it could take up to six days. Penna says the plan is to put the frigate on a barge and transport it to a navy base where the damage will be assessed. — AP
