Veteran Chad Leader Deby Dies After Battling Rebels
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RAMADAN 9, 1442 AH WEDNESDAY, APRIL 21, 2021 16 Pages Max 40º Min 21º 150 Fils Established 1961 ISSUE NO: 18415 The First Daily in the Arabian Gulf www.kuwaittimes.net All registered KU, Education Chemical weapons watchdog FIFA vows ‘consequences’ Ministry staff vaccinated considers Syria sanctions for Super League clubs 3 5 14 Fajr 03:53 Shurooq 05:16 Dhuhr 11:47 Asr 15:22 Maghrib 18:18 Isha 19:39 Veteran Chad leader Deby dies after battling rebels Son named transitional leader; Rebels vow to march on N’Djamena N’DJAMENA, Chad: Chad’s President Idriss Deby but was a key ally in the West’s anti-jihadist cam- presidential guard and often appeared alongside Itno died yesterday from wounds sustained in battle paign in the troubled Sahel region. him, wearing the force’s red beret, dark glasses and after three decades in power, the army said, opening The army said Deby had been commanding his military fatigues. On Monday, the army had claimed a period of uncertainty in a country that is a key forces at the weekend as they fought rebels who a “great victory” in its battle against the rebels from strategic ally of the West. His son was immediately had launched a major incursion into the north of the neighbouring Libya, the Front for Change and named transitional leader as head of a military coun- country on election day, April 11. Deby “has just Concord in Chad (FACT). FACT, which waged its cil and both the government and parliament were breathed his last breath defending the sovereign attacks in the provinces of Tibesti and Kanem, had dissolved, but the army vowed “free and democrat- nation on the battlefield,” army spokesman General claimed in a statement that Deby had been wound- ic” elections after an 18-month transitional period. Azem Bermandoa Agouna said in a statement read ed-a report that could not be confirmed. The shock news of Deby’s death came only the out on state television. A rebel group which launched an offensive day after the 68-year-old career military man was The army said a military council led by the late against the regime in Chad from Libya last week proclaimed the winner of a presidential election that president’s 37-year-old son Mahamat Idriss Deby vowed yesterday to march on the capital N’Djamena had given him a sixth term in office. Itno, a four-star general, would replace him. The after the death of president Idriss Deby Itno. The army also announced a curfew and border council has already met to draw up a transitional “We categorically reject the transition (being led In this file photo taken on June 30, 2004 Chadian closures. Deby had ruled Chad with an iron fist charter, Agouna said, without elaborating. Deby’s by one of Deby’s sons),” said Kingabe President Idriss Deby answers to reporters in his since taking power on the back of a coup in 1990 son oversaw his father’s security as head of the elite Continued on Page 2 palace of Njamena. — AFP as a result of decades of corruption and policies 200 people, levelling the waterfront and damaging Ramadan Kareem Lebanese PM eyes that have encouraged a rentier economy at the countless buildings. A steep depreciation of the expense of a productive economy,” Diab told local Lebanese pound along with an explosion of poverty media. “We knock on (Qatar’s) door just as we will and unemployment have eroded purchasing power support from Qatar knock on the doors of other sister Arab countries and fuelled anger among the population. Ramadan: When and wait for it to open its doors for us, as did sister Diab did not give any details of what aid had DOHA: Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Hassan Qatar.” Despite public outrage and international been requested or what would be forthcoming from God spoke Diab called for wealthy Qatar’s help during a visit to pressure to form a government so as to enact Doha. “These details are owned by (Qatar’s) Amir the Gulf country on Monday as his nation sinks reforms needed to unlock aid pledges, wrangling and prime minister, but I think that there are posi- By Teresa Lesher deeper into economic ruin. Diab has met with sever- over cabinet posts persists eight months after tives that will be announced,” he said. It is not clear al prominent Qatari ministers and officials during Diab’s government resigned. if Qatar would provide assistance before Lebanon e often offer silent or audible prayers, the trip which Lebanese media has suggested has It followed a devastating explosion at the Beirut announces a permanent government. Qatar indicat- asking for help from our Creator, for been mired in “secrecy”. port in August, widely blamed on official negligence. ed in February that it was ready to help kick-start Wsuccor from our problems, for bless- “Lebanon has reached the brink of total collapse, The massive portside explosion killed more than Continued on Page 2 ings on our loved ones, and for forgiveness for our mistakes. We also - likely less often - thank Him for our sustenance and surroundings, our Chauvin, 45, is charged with murder families and abilities. We communicate with God, US braces for and manslaughter for Floyd’s May 25, and we may perceive the conversation as one- 2020 death, which sparked protests sided since we receive no spoken or written against racial injustice around the response. But what if the Almighty Creator of the verdict in world and is being seen as a landmark heavens and earth did answer you - did send you test of police accountability. a spoken or written response? What would He Chauvin, who is white, was cap- say? Would it be one word? A 20-minute Floyd case tured on video kneeling on Floyd’s speech? A letter? Or an entire book? neck for more than nine minutes as In the month of Ramadan, 1455 years ago, God MINNEAPOLIS, US: Jurors began sent us a message. It is the Quran, the Speech of a first full day of deliberations yester- the handcuffed 46-year-old Black God, revealed through the angel Gabriel to day in the trial of the former man said repeatedly “I can’t breathe.” Prophet Muhammad, who dictated it so it could Minneapolis police officer charged White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki be transcribed for all of humanity. It is a direct with murdering George Floyd as US said President Joe Biden had spoken message for you and me, and all humankind. In cities braced for a verdict in a case with Floyd’s family on Monday to fact, many verses of the Quran are addressed to that sparked nationwide protests “check in with them and also share “O People!” or “O Mankind!” These are general against racism last summer. that the family was in his prayers.” verses for every living soul. While some verses After deliberating for four hours on Prosecutors and the defense present- are addressed particularly to believers, in fact, the Monday, the jury in “Minnesota vs ed their closing arguments on BROOKLYN CENTER, Minnesota: One of the caretakers of Daunte Wright’s memorial whole Quran is a message for each of us. The Derek Chauvin” reconvened at 8 am Monday and Judge Peter Cahill sent arranges the flowers in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota yesterday. — AFP Quran is the only divinely revealed scripture that Central Time (1300 GMT) yesterday. Continued on Page 2 has remained intact in its original language throughout the centuries, being widely available until today. It has also been translated in virtually Russia have been meeting regularly every language across the globe. EU: Hard work since early this month in a luxury Vienna So what did God say in this book to us from hotel, while US diplomats are partici- Him? Following are a few key verses: pating indirectly in the talks from a “O mankind, worship your Lord, who created needed to save nearby hotel. “Much more hard work you and those before you, that you may become needed,” Mora wrote on Twitter after a righteous. [He] who made for you the earth a bed Iran nuke deal fresh round of talks. He added a third [spread out] and the sky a ceiling and sent down expert group was created to address from the sky rain, and brought forth thereby fruits “sequencing issues” after two groups as provision for you. So do not attribute to Allah VIENNA: The EU chief negotiator for had already been set up earlier to look equals while you know [that there is nothing simi- the Iran nuclear deal talks said yester- into nuclear issues and sanctions lifting. lar to Him].” (2:21-22) day “much more hard work” was need- Iran insists it can reverse its nuclear “O People! Remember the favor of Allah upon ed to save the 2015 landmark agree- activities, including producing uranium ment, following the latest discussion you. Is there any creator other than Allah who enriched to 60 percent purity, far above round in Vienna. the deal’s threshold, but only once sanc- provides for you from the EU diplomat Enrique Mora hailed tions imposed by former US president Heaven and the Earth? There is no deity “progress made over the last two Donald Trump are removed. Talks are to except Him, so how are they turned away? If they weeks” but said “ongoing challenges” continue next week, according to an EU deny you (O Muhammad) so were messengers remained to get the accord-that curbs statement. denied before you. To God all affairs are Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for Russian ambassador to Vienna returned (for decision).” (35:3-4) sanctions relief-back on track.