Leading the News -

Libya:

On August 13th, the latest round of the United Nations (U.N.)-facilitated Libyan political dialogue concluded in Geneva, Switzerland. According to the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the parties reiterated their conviction that there can be no alternative to peace in Libya outside the U.N. dialogue process. In addition, UNSMIL reported participants emphasized the need to set aside partisan agendas and uphold the country’s higher national interests and underscored their determination to conclude the dialogue process as soon as possible, with a target date within the coming three weeks.

On August 14th, Reuters reported around 37 people have been killed in clashes between Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters and a Salafist Muslim group battling for control of Sirte. Fighting began last week when the Salafist Muslim group attacked ISIL militants in the area, accusing them of killing a prominent preacher. By Friday, ISIL appeared to be in control of the city.