埃及、伊拉克、約旦峰會對中東來說可能是個好消息

埃及、約旦和伊拉克之間的一次重要峰會見證了他們尋求加強安全和經濟合作。

作者：SETH J. FRANZMAN

2021 年 6 月 28 日 17:36

埃及總統阿卜杜勒·法塔赫·塞西

（圖片來源：PAVEL GOLOVKIN/POOL VIA REUTERS）

埃及、約旦和伊拉克在最近的一次峰會上尋求加強安全和經濟合作。據報導，這是“埃及國家元首三年來首次訪問伊拉克”。

這是一個大問題。這表明開羅和巴格達在經歷了多年的危機、衝突和主要國家的削弱後，正在將自己重新定位為重要的區域中心，導致權力轉移到土耳其、伊朗、以色列和海灣國家。

開羅、巴格達和大馬士革是該地區歷史悠久的主要城市，1000 多年來一直是阿拉伯世界的重要中心。這意味著我們可能看到的是巴格達-開羅的討論，它可以在恐怖主義和極端主義浪潮之後鞏固該地區的穩定。

但也存在挑戰。

伊朗在伊拉克​​扮演著重要角色。它削弱了國家力量，民兵在伊拉克四處奔走，襲擊美軍並威脅抗議者。

跨越邊界的敘利亞分為土耳其占領區和政權控制區，以及美國在該國東部的角色。

約旦需要經濟支持，多年來它經受住了敘利亞和伊拉克難民的衝擊。最近對“政變”陰謀的指控也讓哈希姆王國感到不安。

埃及正在迅速加強與蘇丹和非洲其他國家的聯繫。

“美國回來了，”美國總統喬拜登說，埃及領導人訪問巴格達似乎是在說“埃及回來了”。

埃及在 1950 年代和 60 年代是該地區的主要力量，輸出軟實力——媒體和文化——以及軍事實力。在賈邁勒·阿卜杜勒·納賽爾 (Gamal Abdel Nasser) 的領導下，從黎巴嫩到約旦，從敘利亞到也門，它都發揮了影響力的作用。

隨著時間的推移，情況發生了變化，但埃及仍然擁有很大的權力。它是該地區繼土耳其之後第一個與以色列實現關係正常化的大國，這是一項史詩般的協議，表明可以實現和平而不是無休止的戰爭。

今天，是伊朗和土耳其支持的穆斯林兄弟會組織，如哈馬斯，希望在該地區爆發無休止的戰爭。

埃及不僅在非洲而且在東地中海發揮了更大的作用，與希臘和新的東地中海天然氣論壇合作。以色列以及塞浦路斯、法國、意大利、約旦和巴勒斯坦權力機構是該論壇的一部分。與以色列保持和平的阿聯酋也與埃及關係密切，並一直在與希臘合作。

這一切都表明，埃及領導人巴格達之行具有歷史意義。近年來，沙特阿拉伯在 1991 年海灣戰爭之後經歷了多年的困難，重新與伊拉克建立了關係。

“埃及總統阿卜杜勒·法塔赫·塞西和約旦國王阿卜杜拉二世的訪問正值伊拉克尋求與美國在中東的阿拉伯盟友靠得更近，”France24 報導。

報告稱，伊拉克在 4 月份主持了德黑蘭和利雅得之間的會談後，還尋求確立自己作為阿拉伯國家和伊朗之間的調解人的地位。塞西會見了伊拉克總統和總理。

伊拉克總統巴勒姆薩利赫在推特上說：“伊拉克的複蘇為我們地區建立一個建立在打擊極端主義、尊重主權和經濟夥伴關係基礎上的綜合系統鋪平了道路。”

主題清單上的重點是敘利亞。這些國家希望敘利亞重新加入阿拉伯地區政治，這意味著向阿拉伯聯盟開放，並讓敘利亞總統巴沙爾·阿薩德（Bashar Assad）擺脫寒冷。這也意味著確保穩定和難民返回。

土耳其繼續破壞敘利亞的穩定，在 2018 年對庫爾德人的阿夫林進行了種族清洗，並在威脅華盛頓後於 2019 年迫使美國離開敘利亞地區。

美國支持土耳其的極端主義，因為特朗普政府的關鍵要素是親土耳其的，同時還希望美國與土耳其支持的伊德利卜極端主義團體合作，其中一些與基地組織關係密切。

這種冷戰思維導緻美國在敘利亞陷入政策混亂，但拜登政府可能正在恢復正常。埃及、約旦和伊拉克或許能夠在這種常態中發揮更大的作用。

然而，美國周一對敘利亞親伊朗民兵的空襲以及伊朗在伊拉克​​對美國的威脅將繼續留下問號。

在巴格達會面的三巨頭還討論了利比亞和也門。他們呼籲外國僱傭軍返回土耳其，這是土耳其支持的敘利亞人的代名詞，這些人被安卡拉傾倒在利比亞。

他們還呼籲重新努力在以色列和巴勒斯坦人之間實現“公正和全面的和平”，並建立一個獨立的巴勒斯坦國。

這很重要，因為伊拉克在以巴衝突中總體上沒有發揮建設性作用。然而，約旦和埃及是以色列的和平夥伴，以色列新政府正在開展外展工作。

總理納夫塔利·貝內特週一與塞西進行了交談，外交部長亞伊爾·拉皮德會見了他的巴林外長，並將於週二和周三會見阿聯酋官員。空氣中瀰漫著變革之風。

埃及幫助結束了 5 月在加沙的戰鬥並緩解了緊張局勢。伊拉克總理穆斯塔法·卡迪米表示，這三個國家將“通過合作與協調，努力形成共同願景……”。

這似乎意味著他們就某些區域目標達成了一致。這將支撐約旦，鞏固希望穩定的海灣國家，並表明埃及正在該地區發揮新的領導作用。

Egypt, Iraq, Jordan summit could be good news for MidEast

An important summit between Egypt, Jordan and Iraq saw them seek to increase security and economic cooperation.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

JUNE 28, 2021 17:36

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi

(photo credit: PAVEL GOLOVKIN/POOL VIA REUTERS)

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Egypt, Jordan and Iraq sought an increase in security and economic cooperation at a recent summit. According to reports, it saw the “Egyptian head of state visit Iraq for the first time in three decades.”

That is a big deal. It shows that Cairo and Baghdad are repositioning themselves as important regional centers after years of crises, conflict and the weakening of major states saw power shift to Turkey, Iran, Israel and Gulf nations.

Cairo, Baghdad and Damascus are the historic major cities of the region and have been important centers of the Arab world for more than 1,000 years. This means what we are potentially seeing is a Baghdad-Cairo discussion that could shore up stability in the region after waves of terrorism and extremism.

But there are challenges.

Iran has a huge role in Iraq. It has weakened the state and has militias running around Iraq, attacking US forces and threatening protesters.

Syria, across the border, is divided between Turkish occupation and the regime-held areas, as well as the US role in the eastern part of the country.

Jordan needs economic support, and it has weathered waves of Syrian and Iraqi refugees for years. A recent accusation of a “coup” plot has also unnerved the Hashemite Kingdom.

Egypt is rapidly increasing its ties to Sudan and other states in Africa.

“America is back,” US President Joe Biden has said, and it appears the Egyptian leader’s visit to Baghdad is a way of saying, “Egypt is back.”

Egypt was the premier power in the region in the 1950s and ’60s, exporting soft power – media and culture – along with military power. Under Gamal Abdel Nasser, it played a role of influence from Lebanon to Jordan and from Syria to Yemen.

That changed over time, but Egypt continued to have a great deal of power. It was the first major country in the region, after Turkey, to normalize relations with Israel, an epic deal that showed peace could be achieved instead of endless war.

Today, it is Iran and Turkish-backed Muslim Brotherhood groups such as Hamas that want endless war in the region.

Egypt has played a larger role not only in Africa but also in the East Mediterranean, working with Greece and the new East Med Gas Forum. Israel is a part of this forum, along with Cyprus, France, Italy, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The UAE, which has peace with Israel, is close to Egypt as well and has been working with Greece.

All of this shows that the Egyptian leader’s trip to Baghdad is of historic importance. In recent years, Saudi Arabia has renewed relations with Iraq after years of hardship in the wake of the 1991 Gulf War.

“The visits by Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah II came as Iraq seeks to move closer to Arab allies of the United States in the Middle East,” France24 reported.

Iraq is also seeking to establish itself as a mediator between Arab countries and Iran after hosting talks in April between Tehran and Riyadh, the report said. Sisi met with Iraq’s president and prime minister.

“Iraq’s recovery paves the way to an integrated system for our region built on the fight against extremism, respect for sovereignty and economic partnership,” Iraqi President Barham Salih said on Twitter.

On the list of topics was a focus on Syria. These countries want Syria to rejoin Arab regional politics, meaning an opening to the Arab League and bringing Syrian President Bashar Assad in from the cold. It also means securing stability and refugee returns.

Turkey continues to destabilize Syria, having ethnically cleansed Afrin of Kurds in 2018 and also forcing the US to leave areas of Syria in 2019 after threatening Washington.

The US empowered Turkey’s extremism because key elements of the Trump administration were pro-Turkey, while also wanting the US to work with Turkish-backed extremist groups in Idlib, some of which are close to al-Qaeda.

This cold-war thinking led the US into policy chaos in Syria, but the Biden administration may be returning things to normal. Egypt, Jordan and Iraq may be able to play a larger role in that normality.

However, US airstrikes on pro-Iran militias in Syria on Monday and Iran’s threats against the US in Iraq will continue to leave question marks.

The big three that met in Baghdad also discussed Libya and Yemen. They called for foreign mercenaries, a code word for Turkish-backed Syrians who Ankara dumped in Libya, to go back to Turkey.

They also called for renewed efforts to reach a “just and comprehensive peace” between Israel and the Palestinians and for the creation of an independent Palestinian state.

This is important because Iraq generally has not played a constructive role in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, Jordan and Egypt are peace partners with Israel, and a new Israeli government is working on outreach.

Prime Minister Naftali Bennett spoke with Sisi on Monday, and Foreign Minister Yair Lapid met with his Bahraini counterpart and will meet with UAE officials on Tuesday and Wednesday. Winds of change are in the air.

Egypt helped end the fighting in Gaza in May and reduce tensions. Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi said the three countries would “try to shape a common vision… through cooperation and coordination.”

This appears to mean they agree on some regional goals. This will shore up Jordan, reinforce the Gulf states that want stability and illustrate that Egypt is taking a new leadership role in the region.

內塔尼亞胡是否破壞了與美國的關係？

前總理本雅明內塔尼亞胡否認了他故意試圖損害以色列與拜登政府關係的指控。

通過GIL HOFFMAN

2021 年 6 月 28 日 20:51

週日在耶路撒冷舉行的以色列議會特別會議期間，前總理本雅明·內塔尼亞胡 (Benjamin Netanyahu) 旁觀。

（圖片來源：RONEN ZVULUN/REUTERS）

總理納夫塔利·貝內特 在他的亞米納派系的閉門會議上說，反對黨領袖本傑明·內塔尼亞胡試圖破壞以色列新政府與拜登政府之間的關係，這是“幼稚和不負責任的行為” 。

外交部長兼副總理亞伊爾·拉皮德指責內塔尼亞胡的辦公室向保守派網站華盛頓自由燈塔洩露了一個不正確的故事，即拜登政府將撤銷美國前總統唐納德特朗普對以色列對戈蘭高地主權的承認。

拉皮德在 Yesh Atid 每週派系會議上說：“新反對派的行為就像是在傳播惡意謠言，反對以色列國。”

內塔尼亞胡 否認了這些指控，並在與以色列議會反對派領導人會面時對這些指控大笑。

“這是荒謬的，完全是編造的，”他說。“這與我們試圖推翻政府並衝擊以色列議會的報導一樣荒謬。”

內塔尼亞胡在回應以色列 Hayom 的報導稱 Ra'am（阿拉伯聯合名單）負責人 Mansour Abbas 表示與巴勒斯坦人的談判正在進行中時說：“Bennett 將這個國家賣給了 Mansour Abbas，現在將把它賣給 [巴勒斯坦人當局主席]馬哈茂德·阿巴斯。”

內塔尼亞胡還批評貝內特說以色列的疫苗用完了。

“我不知道他為什麼說有問題，”他說。“我給我們買了數千萬種疫苗。新政府應該像我一樣去爭取他們。如果需要，我們當然會提供幫助。”

當被記者問及何時離開位於耶路撒冷雷哈維亞附近的總理官邸時，內塔尼亞胡說：“我將在約定日期[7 月 10 日]離開貝爾福，住在凱撒利亞。”

Did Netanyahu sabotage ties with the US?

Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied charges that he was deliberately trying to harm Israel's relationship with the Biden administration.

By GIL HOFFMAN

JUNE 28, 2021 20:51

n Sunday.

Opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu was acting “childishly and irresponsible” by attempting to harm ties between the new Israeli government and the Biden administration, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett said in a closed-door meeting of his Yamina faction.

Foreign Minister and Alternate Prime Minister Yair Lapid accused Netanyahu’s office of leaking to the conservative website the Washington Free Beacon an incorrect story that the Biden administration would rescind former US president Donald Trump’s recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights.

“The new opposition is acting like the opposition to the State of Israel by circulating malicious rumors,” Lapid said during the Yesh Atid weekly faction meeting.

Netanyahu denied the charges and laughed about the accusations in a meeting with opposition heads in the Knesset.

“This is ridiculous and totally made up,” he said. “It is just as ridiculous as the reports that we would try to overthrow the government and storm the Knesset.”

Reacting to a report in Israel Hayom that Ra’am (United Arab List) head Mansour Abbas said negotiations with the Palestinians were on the way, Netanyahu said: “Bennett sold out the country to Mansour Abbas and will now sell it out to [Palestinian Authority President] Mahmoud Abbas.”

Netanyahu also criticized Bennett for saying Israel is running out of vaccines.

“I don’t know why he is saying there’s a problem,” he said. “I got us tens of millions of vaccines. The new government should act like I did to get them. We, of course, will help if requested.”

Asked by a reporter when he would leave the Prime Minister’s Residence in Jerusalem’s Rehavia neighborhood, Netanyahu said: “I will leave Balfour by the agreed date [July 10] and live in Caesarea.”

親伊朗部隊聲稱他們在敘利亞砲擊了美國人

親伊朗民兵向美國在敘利亞的基地發射了八枚火箭彈，以回應美國的空襲。

作者：SETH J. FRANZMAN

2021 年 6 月 29 日 00:13

美國海軍陸戰隊的一架 F-35B 戰鬥機在加利福尼亞州愛德華茲空軍基地投下一枚激光制導炸彈。

（圖片來源：美國海軍通過路透社）

傍晚時分，黃昏時分，有報導稱親伊朗團體砲擊了敘利亞東部代爾祖爾對面的地區，表面上是針對奧馬爾油田附近的美軍。這是一個重要且具有戰略意義的地區，據報導，支持敘利亞民主力量的美軍在該地區擁有設施或基地。這次襲擊與美國周一在敘利亞針對親伊朗組織進行的空襲有關。

以美國為首的打擊伊斯蘭國聯盟的發言人韋恩·馬羅托上校寫道：“駐敘利亞的美軍在受到多發火箭彈襲擊時，採取了自衛行動，並對火箭發射陣地進行了反砲擊。”

在大約 當地時間晚上7時44分，駐敘利亞美軍遭到多發火箭彈襲擊。美國說，沒有人員受傷，正在評估損失。

伊朗的塔斯尼姆和法爾斯新聞都報導說，發射了大砲和喀秋莎火箭。視頻似乎 顯示了一條火箭軌跡，類似於 哈馬斯在加沙用來瞄準以色列的火箭。社交媒體上的開源情報帳戶證實了這次攻擊。經營代爾祖爾 24 的奧馬爾·阿布·萊拉 寫道：“噴氣式飛機襲擊了位於馬亞丁市附近的伊朗民兵總部。” 然後，他轉推了砲擊據稱美軍所在的奧馬爾油田附近地區的報導。

據目擊者稱，襲擊發生在奧馬爾油田地區及周邊居民棚屋，造成該地區物質損失慘重，該地區多輛汽車被燒毀。此次襲擊發生在美國在阿爾布卡邁勒附近對與伊拉克有關的親伊朗部隊進行空襲後大約 18 小時，美國指責這些部隊對美國在伊拉克的設施進行無人機襲擊。據稱，親伊朗的民兵，如卡塔伊布真主黨和 PMU 第 14 旅，被稱為卡塔伊布賽義德 al-Shuhada，成為目標。

親伊朗民兵在敘利亞從伊拉克邊境的阿爾布卡邁勒 (Albukamal) 到代爾祖爾 (Deir Ezzor)，然後通過 T-4 基地到達大馬士革和敘利亞。伊朗在敘利亞也有伊斯蘭革命衛隊部隊，還有來自阿富汗和巴基斯坦的 Fetemiyun 旅的成員。這些是什葉派團體。伊拉克民兵也在敘利亞開展活動，並在邊境地區建造了他們控制的基地和別墅。6月28日晚對美國的襲擊似乎是報復。

塔斯尼姆報導說，“目擊者說，襲擊發生時美國占領軍在該地區，但沒有說有多少人喪生。一些媒體 報導稱，該行動是由抵抗組織實施的。” 伊朗媒體稱，襲擊發生後，美國占領軍和國際聯盟的幾架偵察機飛越該地區。敘利亞在線報紙Al-Jasr也報導稱，位於敘利亞Al-Mayadin地區的美軍基地被至少8枚卡秋莎導彈擊中。

伊朗對襲擊事件的迅速報導似乎證實了它們發生了，或者伊朗正在利用這一點對美國進行宣傳 。法爾斯新聞說 ，當地“薩伯林新聞”報導了敘利亞境內靠近伊拉克邊境的代爾祖爾的奧馬爾油田基地遭到嚴重火箭襲擊。據報導，至少有八枚火箭瞄準了位於奧馬爾油田的美國聯軍總部。Saberin News 說，火柱和煙霧現在已經從奧馬爾油田升起，美國直升機飛過它 。報告 沒有具體說明火箭發射的來源。” 敘利亞官方通訊社（SANA）也證實了對美國奧馬爾油田軍事基地的襲擊。

美國領導的聯盟沒有回應調查，但在撰寫本文時正在調查報告。

Pro-Iranian forces claim they shelled Americans in Syria

Pro-Iranian militias have fired eight rockets at the American base in Syria in response to US airstrikes.

By SETH J. FRANTZMAN

JUNE 29, 2021 00:13

A US Marine Corps F-35B fighter jet drops a laser-guided bomb at Edwards Air Force Base, California.

(photo credit: US NAVY VIA REUTERS)

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In the late afternoon, around dusk, reports emerged that pro-Iranian groups had shelled areas in eastern Syria across from Deir Ezzor, ostensibly targeting US forces near the Omar oil fields. This is an important and strategic area and US forces who support the Syrian Democratic Forces, have been reported to have a facility or base in this area. The attack was linked to airstrikes the US had carried out in Syria targeting pro-Iranian groups on Monday.

"US Forces in Syria, while under multiple rocket attack, acted in self- defense and conducted counter-battery artillery fire at rocket launching positions," wrote Col. Wayne Marotto, the spokesperson for the US-led Coalition to defeat ISIS.

At approx. 7:44 PM local time, US Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed, the US said.

Tasnim and Fars News in Iran both reported that artillery and katyusha rockets were fired. Video appeared to show a rocket trail similar to the kind of rockets Hamas uses in Gaza to target Israel. Open source intelligence accounts on social media confirmed the attack. Omar Abu Layla, who runs Deir Ezzor 24 wrote that “jets strike headquarters of Iranian militias in the vicinity of al-Mayadeen city.” He then retweeted accounts of shelling of the area near Omar oil field where US forces are allegedly located.

According to witnesses, the attack took place in the area of ​​Al-Omar oil field and the surrounding residential sheds, which resulted in heavy material losses in this place and the burning of several vehicles in the area. The attack comes roughly 18 hours after the US carried out airstrikes near Albukamal targeting pro-Iranian units that are linked to Iraq and which the US accuses of drone attacks on US facilities in Iraq. Pro-Iranian militias, such as Kataib Hezbollah and PMU Brigade 14, known as Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, were allegedly targeted.

Pro-Iranian militias operate in Syria from Albukamal on the Iraq border to Deir Ezzor and then via T-4 base to Damascus and Syria. Iran also has IRGC forces in Syria and members of the Fetemiyun brigade, volunteers from Afghanistan and Pakistan. These are Shi’ite groups. Iraqi militias also operate in Syria and have festooned the border area with bases and villas they control. The attacks on the US on the evening of June 28 appear to be retaliation.

Tasnim reports that “witnesses said US occupying forces were present in the area at the time of the attack, but did not say how many were killed. Some media outlets reported that the action was carried out by resistance groups.” After the attack, several reconnaissance planes belonging to the American occupying forces and the international coalition flew over the region, the Iranian media says. The Syrian online newspaper Al-Jasr also reported that the US military base in the Al-Mayadin area of ​​Syria was hit by at least eight Katyusha missiles.

The rapidity of Iranian reporting on the attacks appears to confirm they took place or that Iran is using this as propaganda against the US. Fars News says that the local “Saberin News reported a severe rocket attack on the Al-Omar oil field base in Deir ez-Zor on Syrian soil near the border with Iraq. According to the report, at least eight rockets targeted US coalition headquarters in the Omar oil field. Pillars of fire and smoke have now risen from the Omar oil field, and US helicopters have flown over it, Saberin News said. The report did not specify the source of the rocket fire.” The official Syrian News Agency (SANA) also confirmed the attack on the US military base in the Omar oil field.

The US-led Coalition did not respond to an inquiry but was looking into the reports at the time of writing.

利比亞選舉之路崎嶇不平

第二次柏林會議強調清除外國戰鬥人員和選舉時間表，以結束該國長期存在的衝突。

作者：MIKE WAGENHEIM / THE MEDIA LINE

2021 年 6 月 28 日 20:30

前利比亞議會大廳——位於利比亞東北部城市貝達。

（圖片來源：維基共享資源）

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利比亞離讓外國僱傭兵離開該國越來越近。在本週的柏林會議上——這是為結束利比亞長期衝突而在德國首都舉行的第二次會議——利比亞代表和國際大國表示，在計劃於 12 月 24 日舉行的全國大選之前，在驅逐外國戰鬥人員方面取得了進展. 但是，這不會在一夜之間發生。

“我們無法揮動魔杖來實現這一目標，但與利比亞人民合作，我認為我們很有可能設定條件，為這些部隊離開提供激勵措施和其他參數。但坦率地說，沒有哪個組織或機構比由本國人民選擇的強大、統一的利比亞政府更有能力促成這種背離。這就是選舉如此重要的原因，”負責近東事務局的美國代理助理國務卿喬伊·胡德在會議結束後的簡報中說。

聯合國估計，利比亞仍有 20,000 名外國戰鬥人員和僱傭軍——這一存在被視為對聯合國承認的導致選舉的過渡的威脅。對利比亞的大部分外國干涉是兩個美國盟友之間地區競爭的結果：阿拉伯聯合酋長國和土耳其。關於美國與安卡拉和阿布扎比就利比亞文件進行對話的公開消息很少，胡德說這是有意為之。

“我們在這兩個首都和其他地方都進行了這些討論。但我認為這屆政府和以前的政府之間的區別在於：拜登政府決定以非常安靜的方式進行外交。而且，因此您不太可能看到廣為人知的會議和非常詳細的每個討論的宣讀資料，因為我們認為通過與合作夥伴進行安靜的對話，然後與盡可能多的盟友進行交流，我們可以獲得更多進展我們可以用一個統一的立場。所以這就是為什麼我認為你已經看到了這麼多工作，試圖在非常明確的觀點上達成統一立場，”胡德說，他與美國國務卿安東尼·布林肯 6 月 23 日一起參加了第二屆柏林會議。

阿聯酋國務部長兼阿聯酋參加會談代表團團長 Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar 呼籲利比亞和國際各方“致力於政治進程並為其成功提供所有因素，以實現利比亞的安全、穩定和統一。利比亞機構來實現利比亞人民對更繁榮未來的渴望。”

與此同時，美國國務院的一位高級官員表示，支持利比亞對立雙方的土耳其和俄羅斯已達成初步諒解，以努力實現從衝突雙方撤出 300 名敘利亞僱傭軍的目標，胡德不會證實這一點。 .

“我們認為，各行各業的外國行為者應該尊重利比亞人重申自己主權的願望，尊重去年 10 月達成的停火協議的條款。關於俄羅斯人和土耳其人之間的任何諒解，或與這兩個政黨分開的任何諒解，我必須向您介紹他們，以確切了解他們打算做什麼，”胡德說。

“但是，我們呼籲雙方和各方立即撤出所有外國勢力，無論是正規軍、僱傭軍還是其他什麼。對利比亞來說，最好的辦法是決定它將與哪些國家建立安全合作關係，一旦它有一個從這些選舉中脫穎而出的政府，並且清楚地代表了利比亞人民的意願，”胡德說。

自從長期統治者穆阿邁爾·卡扎菲在 2011 年北約支持的起義中被推翻以來，利比亞已經陷入混亂長達十年之久。

該國隨後一分為二。聯合國承認的民族團結政府 (GNA) 在首都的黎波里和一個敵對的政府運作，該政府由叛變的軍事指揮官哈利法·哈夫塔爾領導，總部設在該國東部。雙方都得到武裝團體和外國政府的支持。

2019 年 4 月，哈夫塔爾和他的部隊在埃及和阿拉伯聯合酋長國的支持下發動了攻勢，試圖奪取的黎波里。哈夫塔爾的戰役在 14 個月後沉沒，土耳其加大了對的黎波里政府的支持，提供了先進的軍事裝備、軍隊和數千名僱傭軍。

最終，在去年 10 月，兩個陣營同意在日內瓦停火。

德國外長海科·馬斯表示，雖然取得了進展，但撤軍可能會逐步進行。

“我相信土耳其和俄羅斯雙方之間也達成了共識，如果你停下來，這並不意味著每個人都會在一夜之間把他們的僱傭兵帶回來，”他說。

週三會議的東道國德國在這場衝突中扮演了中間人的角色。參與這一進程的其他國家包括聯合國安理會五個常任理事國，以及阿聯酋、意大利和土耳其。

會議提出的建議與最初的柏林會議的建議非常相似，導致一些專家想知道是什麼讓美國希望這次事情會有所不同。

胡德指出了一個不同之處，那就是這次利比亞民族團結政府總理阿卜杜勒哈米德·達拜巴的出席。聯合政府在聯合國和西方列強的支持下於 3 月上任。

“關於希望的問題，這很有趣——我注意到會議上幾乎每個發言人都看著總理說，'你的出席代表了我們的希望。' 因為總理所代表的是利比亞人民和主要政治行動者聯合起來並在臨時基礎上組建民族團結政府以讓他們參加選舉的成功努力，”胡德說。

“我想如果你在一年半前問人們這是否可能，他們會說不。因此，我們已經看到願意停止戰鬥的政治參與者取得了顯著進展，”胡德說。

儘管如此，驅逐外國戰鬥人員雖然必不可少，但遠不是建立一個運作良好、穩定的利比亞政府的唯一挑戰。還有一些障礙需要克服，還有一些里程碑需要達到。

“第一個是為選舉設定憲法和法律基礎，必須在 7 月 1 日之前完成。因此，這樣做將解開國家高級選舉委員會需要做的一些事情，以進入下一步。但在全國許多地方，安全顯然將成為一個問題，在這些地方，不屬於任何政府組織的武裝團體正在自由活動和攻擊。我的意思是，在過去幾個月裡，我們看到恐怖組織發動的襲擊令人震驚，尤其是在南部，”胡德說。

“在行政上，顯然他們已經很長時間沒有舉行全國大選了。我確信他們需要培訓人員，他們甚至需要為該國某些地區提供電力和其他類似設備，以確保僅在行政上就能舉行選舉。但是，正如我所說，利比亞不是一個貧窮的國家。它沒有龐大的人口。而且，所以這些事情都是可能的。他們可以克服這些挑戰，而且他們有很多合作夥伴，比如美國，他們想幫助他們做到這一點。所以，我完全有信心他們能做到，而且他們看起來很有決心，”胡德說。

儘管如此，達拜巴本人對利比亞的進展提出了一些擔憂，指責立法機構未能認真努力製定選舉法和有效的憲法。目前尚不清楚利比亞人將投票支持什麼，特別是如果總統應直接選舉產生。

利比亞高級全國選舉委員會表示，應在 7 月 1 日之前就憲法做出決定，以防止推遲至 12 月 24 日的選舉。

Libya on bumpy road to elections

Second Berlin Conference stresses removal of foreign fighters and election timeline to end country’s long-running conflict.

By MIKE WAGENHEIM / THE MEDIA LINE

JUNE 28, 2021 20:30

Former Libyan Parliament Hall - in the northeastern city of Bayda, Libya.

(photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)

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Libya is moving closer to getting foreign mercenaries out of the country. During this week’s Berlin Conference – the second to take place in the German capital in an effort to end Libya’s long-running conflict – Libyan representatives and international powers said progress was made on the ejection of foreign fighters ahead of a planned national election on December 24. But, it’s not going to happen overnight.

“We can’t wave a magic wand and make this happen, but working together with the Libyan people, I think there’s a strong chance that we can set the conditions to provide the incentives and maybe other parameters for these forces to leave. But frankly, there’s no organization or body that is more capable of bringing about that departure than a strong, unified Libyan government chosen by its own people. And so that’s why elections are so important,” Joey Hood, acting US assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, said in a briefing following the conference.

The United Nations estimates that 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries remain in Libya – a presence seen as a threat to the UN-recognized transition leading to the elections. Much of the foreign interference in Libya is the result of a regional rivalry between two US allies: the United Arab Emirates and Turkey. There’s been very little public news regarding American dialogue on the Libyan file with Ankara and Abu Dhabi, and Hood says that’s been by design.

“We have had those discussions in both of those capitals and elsewhere. But I think a difference between this administration and maybe previous ones is that this: the Biden administration has decided to undertake diplomacy in a very quiet way. And, so you’re not likely to see well-publicized meetings and readouts of every single discussion that are very detailed because we think that we can get more progress by having quiet conversations with our partners, and then coming in with as many allies as we can with a unified position. So that’s why I think you’ve seen so much work done on trying to get unified positions on very clear sets of points,” said Hood, who attended the Second Berlin Conference on June 23 together with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Trump administration did not send a high-ranking representative to the first Berlin Conference in January 2020, which was attended by the presidents of Turkey, Russia and France.

Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar, UAE minister of state and head of the UAE's delegation to the talks, called on Libyan and international parties to "commit themselves to the political process and provide all factors to its success in order to realize security, stability and unity of Libyan institutions to fulfill the aspirations of the Libyan people for a more prosperous future."

Meanwhile, a senior official at the State Department said Turkey and Russia, which back opposing sides in Libya, had reached an initial understanding to work toward a target of pulling out 300 Syrian mercenaries from each side of the conflict, something that Hood would not confirm.

“We think that foreign actors of all stripes should respect the Libyans’ desire to reassert their own sovereignty by respecting the terms of the cease-fire agreement from last October. With regard to any understanding between the Russians and the Turks, or separately from those two parties, I would have to refer you to them to know exactly what they intend to do,” said Hood.

“But, we call on both of them and all sides to immediately pull out all foreign forces, whether they are regular forces, mercenaries or something else. The best way for Libya is to decide on what countries it’s going to have security cooperation relationships with, once it has a government that comes out of these elections and that clearly represents the will of the Libyan people,” Hood said.

Libya has been in chaos for a decade since longtime ruler Moammar Gadhafi was toppled in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.

The country was subsequently split in two. The UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) operated out of the capital, Tripoli, and a rival administration, led by renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar, based itself in the country’s east. Both sides were backed by armed groups and foreign governments.

In April 2019, Haftar and his forces, supported by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, launched an offensive to try and capture Tripoli. Haftar’s campaign sank after 14 months, with Turkey stepping up its support of the Tripoli government, providing advanced military hardware, troops and thousands of mercenaries.

Finally, this past October, the two camps agreed to a cease-fire in Geneva.

German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said that although progress has been made, the withdrawals likely would proceed gradually.

"I believe that between the Turkish and the Russian sides, there was also an understanding that if you stop, this will not mean that everybody will take their mercenaries back overnight," he said.

Germany, the host country of Wednesday’s conference, is acting as an intermediary in the conflict. Other states involved in the process include the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, along with the UAE, Italy and Turkey.

The recommendations coming out of the conference are quite similar to those from the initial Berlin Conference, leading some experts to wonder what gives the US hope that things will turn out differently this time around.

Hood identified one difference being the presence this time of Libyan Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba. The unity government took office in March with the backing of the UN and Western powers.

“With regard to the question about hope, it’s interesting – I noticed that almost every speaker at the conference looked at the prime minister and said, ‘Your presence here is what represents hope for us.’ Because what the prime minister represents is a successful effort by the Libyan people and the major political actors to come together and to form a Government of National Unity on an interim basis to bring them toward elections,” Hood said.

“I think if you’d asked people a year and a half ago if that was even possible, they would have said no. And, so, we’ve seen remarkable progress among the political actors being willing to stop fighting,” said Hood.

Still, the removal of foreign fighters, while essential, is far from the only challenge on the way to a functioning, stable Libyan government. There are still several obstacles to overcome and milestones to be met.

“The first one is setting the constitutional and legal basis for the elections, which must be done by July 1. So, doing that will then unlock a number of things that the high national electoral commission needs to do to move to the next steps. But security is obviously going to be a problem in many places throughout the country where armed groups that are not part of any government organization are moving around freely and attacking. I mean, we’ve seen attacks by terrorist groups in the past couple of months that have been just shocking, especially in the south,” said Hood.

“Administratively, obviously they haven’t had a nationwide election in a long time. I’m sure that they need to train people and they need to even bring electricity and other things like that to certain parts of the country to make sure that just administratively the election can take place. But, as I said, Libya is not a poor country. It doesn’t have a huge population. And, so these things are possible. They can overcome these challenges and they have a lot of partners, like the United States, who want to help them do that. So, I have every confidence that they can do it, and they seem determined,” Hood said.

Still, Dabaiba himself raised a number of concerns over Libya's progress, scolding the legislature for failing to make serious efforts to create electoral laws and a functioning constitution. It is still unknown exactly what Libyans will be voting for, particularly if the president should be directly elected.

Libya's High National Election Commission has said a decision on the constitution should be made by July 1 to prevent a delay to the December 24 election.

巴勒斯坦權力機構總理誓言為被殺害的巴勒斯坦激進分子伸張正義

巴勒斯坦政治活動家尼扎爾·巴納特 (Nizar Banat) 死亡調查委員會預計將在未來 48 小時內公佈調查結果。

由哈利·阿布·托梅

2021 年 6 月 28 日 21:50

示威者在希伯倫抗議巴勒斯坦權力機構的批評者尼扎爾·巴納特 (Nizar Banat) 之死，

（照片來源：MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS）

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巴勒斯坦權力機構對政治活動家尼扎爾·巴納特 ( Nizar Banat )之死進行調查的委員會 預計將在接下來的 48 小時內公佈調查結果，因為巴勒斯坦人繼續抗議巴勒斯坦權力機構安全部隊據稱殺害了他。

巴納特，44 歲，上週四在巴勒斯坦權力機構安全人員突襲他在希伯倫的家時死亡。PA沒有提供有關導致他死亡的情況的任何細節。

目擊者聲稱，巴納特是一位直言不諱地批評巴勒斯坦權力機構領導層的人，被前來逮捕他的超過 25 名警官毆打致死。

巴納特的死 在西岸引發了一波前所未有的抗議浪潮 ，特別是在拉馬拉，許多巴勒斯坦人一直在那裡示威反對巴勒斯坦權力機構主席馬哈茂德·阿巴斯和巴勒斯坦權力機構安全部門。

巴勒斯坦權力機構官員指責哈馬斯並罷免了駐阿拉伯聯合酋長國的法塔赫領導人穆罕默德·達赫蘭，利用活動家的死亡煽動巴勒斯坦人反對阿巴斯和巴勒斯坦領導人。

哈馬斯和達赫蘭譴責所謂的巴納特“暗殺”，呼籲巴勒斯坦人走上街頭抗議阿巴斯和巴勒斯坦權力機構安全部隊的“鎮壓”措施。

在巴納特死訊由希伯倫的巴勒斯坦總督吉布琳·巴克里宣布幾小時後，巴勒斯坦權力機構總理穆罕默德·施泰耶成立了一個委員會來調查事件的相關情況。該委員會由巴勒斯坦權力機構司法部長 Mohammad al-Shalaldeh 領導。

週一，Shtayyeh 在關於該事件的首次公開聲明中表示，調查委員會“正在以所有專業精神和透明度開展工作，以澄清真相，並在巴勒斯坦法律框架內正確看待問題。”

Shtayyeh 在拉馬拉的巴勒斯坦權力機構內閣每週會議上發表講話說，那些被發現與巴納特之死有關的人將被移交給司法當局。他的言論被視為試圖在幾天的抗議後平息局勢。

他強調巴勒斯坦人享有言論自由的權利，“根據民主原則，這是我們人民文化的一部分。”

Shtayyeh 還申明尊重司法機構及其決定的獨立性，以及對新聞和媒體自由的尊重，敦促巴勒斯坦人“表現出高度負責的精神，而不是為了支持政治議程而歪曲此事，並獲得報酬”。誹謗運動。”

Shtayyeh 含蓄地提到了反巴勒斯坦權力機構的示威活動，呼籲巴勒斯坦人“在全國范圍內努力反對在耶路撒冷和巴勒斯坦的佔領及其殖民工具”。

與此同時，幾名巴勒斯坦記者在拉馬拉聯合國人權事務高級專員辦事處前舉行靜坐罷工，要求國際保護，因為他們在報導巴納特之死的抗議活動時遭到巴勒斯坦權力機構警察和法塔赫激進分子的襲擊。

記者們說，他們中的許多人受到身體和語言的虐待，他們的相機被毀壞，手機被巴勒斯坦權力機構安全官員和法塔赫成員沒收。

巴勒斯坦人權組織譴責“穿制服和不穿制服的安全人員”襲擊最近和平集會的參與者。

這些團體在拉馬拉召開緊急會議後發表聲明說：“安全人員過度使用武力，用警棍毆打、向地面投擲石塊並拖拽抗議者。”

“當平民在[拉馬拉]市中心時，他們密集發射催淚瓦斯，”他們說。“襲擊影響了記者，他們遭到毆打，設備被沒收。安保人員阻撓人權機構的實地研究人員的工作並沒收了他們的手機。”

這些團體表示，穿制服的安保人員沒有進行干預，以保護和阻止非穿制服的安保人員對抗議者的“侵略”。

“人權組織強調，和平集會和言論自由的權利必須作為憲法權利得到尊重，並受到《巴勒斯坦基本法》和國際人權公約的保障，”他們說。“濫用這些權利反映了憲法犯罪和嚴重違反巴勒斯坦人加入國際公約所產生的義務。”

PA prime minister vows justice for slain Palestinian activist

The Palestinian commission of inquiry into the death of political activist Nizar Banat is expected to publish its findings in the next 48 hours.

By KHALED ABU TOAMEH

JUNE 28, 2021 21:50

Demonstrators protest over the death of Nizar Banat, a critic of the Palestinian Authority, in Hebron,

(photo credit: MUSSA QAWASMA/REUTERS)

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The Palestinian Authority commission of inquiry into the death of political activist Nizar Banat is expected to publish its findings within the next 48 hours, as Palestinians continued to protest his alleged killing by PA security forces.

Banat, 44, died during a raid on his home in Hebron by PA security officers last Thursday. The PA has not provided any details about the circumstances that led to his death.

Eyewitnesses claim that Banat, an outspoken critic of the PA leadership, was beaten to death by more than 25 officers who came to arrest him.

Banat’s death has sparked a wave of unprecedented protests in the West Bank, especially in Ramallah, where many Palestinians have been demonstrating against PA President Mahmoud Abbas and the PA security services.

PA officials have accused Hamas and ousted Fatah leader Mohammad Dahlan, who is based in the United Arab Emirates, of exploiting the death of the activist to incite Palestinians against Abbas and the Palestinian leadership.

Denouncing the alleged “assassination” of Banat, Hamas and Dahlan have called on Palestinians to take to the streets to protest against Abbas and the “repressive” measures of the PA security forces.

Hours after the death of Banat was announced by Jibreen al-Bakri, Hebron’s Palestinian governor, PA Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh formed a committee to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident. The committee is headed by PA Justice Minister Mohammad al-Shalaldeh.

On Monday, in his first public statement on the incident, Shtayyeh said the commission of inquiry “is doing its work with all professionalism and transparency to clarify the truth and put matters in perspective within the framework of Palestinian law.”

Shtayyeh, who was speaking during the weekly meeting of the PA cabinet in Ramallah, said those who are found to be connected to the death of Banat will be referred to the judicial authorities. His remarks were seen as an attempt to calm the situation after days of protests.

He emphasized the right of Palestinians to freedom of expression, “according to democratic principles, which are part of the culture of our people.”

Shtayyeh also affirmed respect for the independence of the judiciary and its decisions, as well as respect for the freedom of the press and media, urging Palestinians “to demonstrate a spirit of high responsibility and not to distort the matter in favor of political agendas and paid defamation campaigns.”

In an implicit reference to the anti-PA demonstrations, Shtayyeh called on Palestinians to direct their “national effort against the occupation and its colonial tools in Jerusalem and Palestine.”

Meanwhile, several Palestinian journalists held a sit-in strike in front of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in Ramallah to demand international protection after they were assaulted by PA police officers and Fatah activists while covering the protests over Banat’s death.

The journalists said many of them were subjected to physical and verbal abuse and had their cameras smashed and cellphones confiscated by PA security officers and Fatah members.

Palestinian human-rights groups denounced assaults “by uniformed and non-uniformed security personnel” on participants in recent peaceful assemblies.

“Using excessive force, security officers beat with batons, stoned and dragged protesters along the ground,” the groups said in a statement after an emergency meeting in Ramallah.

“They fired tear-gas canisters intensively while civilians were in the city center [of Ramallah],” they said. “Attacks affected journalists, who were beaten and had their equipment seized. Security personnel obstructed the work and confiscated cellphones of field researchers at human -rights institutions.”

The groups said uniformed security personnel did not intervene to protect and stop the “aggression” on the protesters by non-uniformed security officers.

“Human-rights groups underline that the rights to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression must be respected as constitutional rights, ensured by the Palestinian Basic Law and international human rights conventions,” they said. “Abuse of these rights reflects a constitutional crime and a grave breach of the Palestinians’ obligations arising from accession to international conventions.”

極端正統派 MK 將改革派猶太人比作豬

Haredi MKs 譴責工黨 MK、改革拉比 Gilad Kariv 被任命為以色列議會憲法、法律、司法委員會主席 • UTJ MK Meir Porush 將改革派猶太人比作“豬”

作者：傑瑞米·沙龍

2021 年 6 月 28 日 21:17

拉比和 UTJ MK Meir Porush 和拉比和勞工 MK Gilad Kariv

（圖片來源：MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/REUTERS）

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聖經猶太教聯盟MK米爾·波拉什相比，改革的猶太人，他在以色列議會週一晚間發表演講時一般勞動MK和改革拉比吉拉德·卡里沃特別是豬。

Porush 發表評論以回應任命 Kariv 為具有影響力的議會憲法、法律和司法委員會主席，並與其他黨的 MK 一起譴責工黨 MK，包括 UTJ 主席 Moshe Gafni，他說該黨的 MK 將不參加委員會。

在以色列議會全體會議的講台上，Porush譴責改革猶太教，稱其為“一種新宗教”，試圖假裝它是有效的。

“以掃被比作一頭豬，當他坐下時，攤開豬蹄說'看，我是純潔的'，”Porush 吟誦道。

“改革有什麼問題。他們接受了托拉的一部分，他們有一個新的宗教，他們傳播他們的蹄子並說“我們是純潔的”。就像那頭攤開蹄子的豬，”他繼續說。

波拉什說，他形容為“仇恨政府”的新政府決定任命卡里夫“那個人，以色列議會中的改革派[猶太人]，他一直散佈著他的腳步，說‘我是純潔的’。”

Porush 繼續說道，“他將領導委員會，並以他的權力試圖破壞托拉的法律，上帝保佑。”

UTJ MK Uri Maklev 也在講台上發言，並表示卡里夫代表了“企圖以惡意侵蝕猶太人民”的改革運動。

“到目前為止，該委員會進行了認真的討論，但這次（任命卡里夫為主席）旨在將其變成暴力對抗的場景，”馬克列夫說。

“看看西牆發生了什麼，西牆幾乎是唯一表達猶太人團結的地方，今天他們在那裡做什麼？他們把它變成了一個暴力對抗的場景，”他繼續說道。

以色列改革行動中心主任 Rabbi Noa Sattath 譴責 Porush 的言論，稱他越過了不能容忍的紅線。

“拉比機構是一種欺凌和危險的壟斷——而 MK Porush 本人證明了這一點，”薩塔斯說。

“我們，以色列和僑民改革運動的成員，是她提醒大家，成為猶太人的方法不止一種。”

Ultra-Orthodox MK compares Reform Jews to pigs

Haredi MKs denounce Labor MK, Reform rabbi Gilad Kariv amid his appointment to chair Knesset Constitution, Law, Justice Committee • UTJ MK Meir Porush compares Reform Jews to "pigs"

By JEREMY SHARON

JUNE 28, 2021 21:17

Rabbi and UTJ MK Meir Porush and Rabbi and Labor MK Gilad Kariv

(photo credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM/REUTERS)

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United Torah Judaism MK Meir Porush compared Reform Jews in general and Labor MK and Reform rabbi Gilad Kariv in particular to pigs during a speech he gave in the Knesset Monday evening.

Porush made his comments in reaction to the appointment of Kariv as chairman of the influential Knesset Constitution, Law and Justice Committee, and was joined in his denunciation of the Labor MK by fellow party MKs, including UTJ chairman Moshe Gafni who said the party’s MKs would not sit on the committee.

Speaking from the podium in the Knesset plenum, Porush denounced Reform Judaism, calling it “a new religion” which tried to pretend it was valid.

“Esau was compared to a pig who when he sat down spread his trotters said ‘look, I am pure’,” intoned Porush.

“What is the problem with the Reform. They take parts of the Torah, they have a new religion, they spread their trotters and say ‘we are pure.’ like the pig which spreads its trotters,” he continued.

Porush said the new government, which he described as a “government of hate,” had decided to appoint Kariv “that man, the Reform [Jew] in the Knesset who all the time spreads his trotters and says ‘I am pure’.”

Continued Porush, “He will head the committee, and with his power he will try and undermine the laws of the Torah, God forbid.”

UTJ MK Uri Maklev also spoke from the podium, and said that Kariv represented the Reform movement “which seeks to erode the Jewish people with malicious intent.”

“Until now there were serious discussions in this committee, but this [appointing Kariv as chair] is designed to turn it into the scene of violent confrontation,” said Maklev.

“Look at what is happening at the Western Wall, the Western Wall is almost the only place where the unity of the Jewish people is expressed and today what are they doing there? They turned it into a scene of violent confrontation,” he continued.

Director of the Israel Reform Action Center Rabbi Noa Sattath denounced Porush’s comments, saying he had crossed a red line which could not be tolerated.

“The rabbinical establishment is a bullying and dangerous monopoly - and MK Porush himself proves it,” said Sattath.

“We, members of the Reform movement in Israel and the Diaspora, are her to remind everyone, there is more than one way to be a Jew.”

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