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BENGHAZI, Libya Libya's eastern-based government has followed regional allies in cutting diplomatic ties with Qatar, its foreign minister, Mohamed Dayri, said on Monday.

The government, which sits in the eastern city of Bayda, has little authority within Libya. It is appointed by a parliament that also sits in the east and is aligned with powerful military commander Khalifa Haftar. They have spurned a U.N.-backed, internationally recognised government in the capital, Tripoli.

The eastern-based government's announcement came after Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain severed ties with Qatar, accusing it of supporting terrorism.

Dayri gave no immediate explanation for the Libyan move.

Regional powers have sided with opposing camps that have vied for power in Libya since the 2011 uprising that toppled veteran strongman leader Muammar Gaddafi.

Egypt and the UAE are considered key supporters of Haftar, who has built his position battling Islamist militants and other opponents in eastern Libya. East Libyan authorities accuse Qatar of backing rival, Islamist-leaning factions in western Libya.

Haftar's self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) has gained ground in central and southern Libya since last year, taking control of oil facilities and military bases. Most recently they have advanced near oasis towns in the Jufra and Sabha regions.

(Reporting by Ayman al-Warfalli; Writing by Aidan Lewis; Editing by Gareth Jones)

SYDNEY Senior U.S officials said on Monday the United States, under President Donald Trump, was committed to the region, reassuring nervous global partners even as it received criticism for pulling out of major a climate pact.

SINGAPORE As many in Asia question the durability of the United States' long-standing security role in the region, one veteran military commander is reassuring old allies and newer friends that nothing has changed.

MARAWI CITY, Philippines Islamist militants holed up in a southern Philippines town stocked weapons and food in mosques, tunnels and basements to prepare for a long siege, officials said on Monday as the battle for control of Marawi City came to the end of its second week.

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Libya's eastern-based government cuts diplomatic ties with Qatar - Reuters

Libya Herald

AU delegation wraps up its Libya visits with Hafter meeting Libya Herald A high level African Union delegation wrapped up its four-day mission to Libya by meeting armed forces commander-in-chief Khalifa Hafter in Benghazi. Throughout their various talks, the AU members have been seeking to organise a gathering of all Libya ...

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AU delegation wraps up its Libya visits with Hafter meeting - Libya Herald

Libya's eastern-based government cuts diplomatic relations with Qatar The Jerusalem Post The government, which sits in the eastern city of Bayda, has little authority within Libya. It is appointed by a parliament that also sits in the east and is aligned with powerful military commander Khalifa Haftar. They have spurned a UN-backed ... and more »

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Libya's eastern-based government cuts diplomatic relations with Qatar - The Jerusalem Post

Smoke is seen rising from the Brigade Qaqaa headquarters, a former Libyan Army camp known as Camp 7 April, behind members of the Libya Shield, following clashes between rival militias at the Sawani road district in Tripoli, August 24, 2014. REUTERS/Stringer (LIBYA Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST)

Heavy clashes erupted between two militias in the city of Al-Zawiya in northwestern Libya Saturday night, according to sources from the city.

The clashes broke out after two members of one militia were killed by gunfire in front of Olympi Cafe in the city by the other militia fighters.

According to local sources the two killed men were Islam Jamoum and Suhail Ben Kora.

The two militias were later engaged in clashes using heavy and medium weapons in the streets of the city centre.

The Al-Zawiya Hospital had to evacuate the patients fearing they could be shot by the ongoing random gunfire and fighting in the city.

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Militias clash in Al-Zawiya city in Libya, two killed - Libyan Express

France closed its embassy in Tripoli in 2014 amid growing instability in the North African country.

French flag. Picture: Free Images.

PARIS - France's foreign ministry said on Friday security conditions were still not right to reopen its embassy in Libya despite a claim by the prime minister of a United Nations (UN)-backed government there that Paris wanted to restore its diplomatic mission soon.

France closed its embassy in Tripoli in 2014 amid growing instability in the North African country, but Fayez al-Seraj, the head of the Government of National Accord (GNA), said in a statement on 30 May that new President Emmanuel Macron had promised him to reopen the embassy "as early as possible."

"Our embassy for Libya is currently located in Tunis. We would like that it reopens in Tripoli as soon as security conditions are right" Foreign ministry spokesman Romain Nadal told a daily news briefing, adding that the current French envoy was making regular trips to Libya.

Macron's office issued a release on Thursday two days after the talks with Seraj saying that Paris continued to support his government and wanted a stable and united Libya on the basis of a political agreement between rival factions.

It made no mention of the embassy.

Italy reopened its embassy in Tripoli earlier this year making it the first Western diplomatic mission to return to the divided country.

France took a leading role in the NATO air campaign that helped rebels topple Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, but his demise tipped the country into years of chaos.

Diplomats have said Paris is reviewing its policy on Libya since Macron's election victory.

New Foreign Minister Jean-Yves le Drian will travel to Egypt next week to discuss the crisis in neighbouring Libya.

In the previous government, the Foreign Ministry openly supported Seraj's government, while the Defence Ministry worked closely with eastern militia commander Khalifa Haftar, who has waged a campaign against Islamists in eastern Libya but resisted a rapprochement with Seraj.

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France says security conditions not right to reopen Libya embassy - Eyewitness News