Top of the Morning: Bombing of French Embassy in Libya Smacks of Mali Retribution; Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi

Top stories from DAWNS Digest

Bombing of French Embassy in Libya Smacks of Mali Retribution

No one was killed in an early morning attack on the French Embassy early yesterday morning, and no group has claimed responsibility. But…”Scrutiny now falls on militant Islamist groups active in Libya who are furious about France’s war against their comrades in Mali and the Sahel. ‘None of the recent attacks in Libya were major,’ said Rami El-Obeidi, former intelligence chief for the Libyan rebels, by phone from Tripoli. ‘The militants don’t want Libyan casualties because they fear a backlash. The only thing that comes to mind is that this is retaliation for Mali. It’s a very clear message to Hollande.’” (Time http://ti.me/ZnMyb8)

Gates-Backed “Vaccine Summit” Kicks off in Abu Dhabi

A first-ever major meeting of key stakeholders and donors supporting the scaling up of childhood vaccination programs is launching in UAE today. “Summit attendees, including ministers of health, front-line health care workers, international non-governmental organizations and donors, will discuss how the global community can ensure that children everywhere have access to vaccines, how the roadmap to polio eradication works, and the opportunities afforded by new vaccine and delivery innovations. The full agenda for the Summit is available here.” (Gates Foundation http://bit.ly/ZnLeow)