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Libya takes immediate action to secure border with Chad

April 22, 2021 at 11:30 am

Head of Libya’s Presidential Council Mohammad Menfi on March 23 in Paris, France [Chesnot/Getty Images]

The president of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, ordered the army on Wednesday to take immediate action to secure the country’s southern border with Chad. The move came a day after the death of Chad’s President Idriss Déby.

Al-Menfi’s official directive was posted on Twitter by Najwa Wahiba, the spokeswoman for the council head, who is also the supreme commander of the armed forces in Libya.

According to the directive, Al-Menfi also ordered the army to deal with any “hostile targets” while keeping the Council informed of developments at all times. “The utmost caution, prudence and preparation must be taken to deal with any emergency immediately,” he insisted.

On Tuesday, the army in Chad announced that Déby had died of his injuries following clashes with rebels in the north of the country. No further details were provided.

Déby ruled Chad for nearly 30 years. The announcement of his death came a day after the army officer won a sixth presidential term amid opposition protests.

READ: Can Libya’s new authority succeed in cutting Haftar’s foreign links?