The representative of the United States said that achieving a credible election road map and a peaceful transition requires bringing key actors face to face at the negotiating table, welcoming the initiative of the Special Representative to “galvanize the political process”. Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar is ready for dialogue but has conditioned the Government of National Unity’s participation to the inclusion of the House of Representatives-appointed Government. A thriving civic space is critical for the political process. He added, “The political process must remain the primary and only option for establishing security and stability”, meaning committing to dialogue to resolve differences. Security, political and humanitarian tracks must be paralleled with focusing on economic and development paths, which are essential for long-term stability.

South African Gerco van Deventer who was abducted in Libya in November 2017 is now free. The longest held South African hostage in captivity was sold to Al-Qaeda in Mali in 2018 after his abduction. In Ramadan, the month of fasting for Muslims, of this year, Gift of the Givers "requested unconditional, ransom free release" of the paramedic. We used that moment to request unconditional release once again. The organization Gift of the Givers says no ransom was paid.

(AP Photo)CAIRO—A boat carrying dozens of migrants trying to reach Europe capsized off the coast of Libya, leaving more than 60 people dead, including women and children, the U.N. migration agency said. According to the IOM’s missing migrants project, at least 940 migrants were reported dead and 1,248 missing off Libya between Jan. 1 and Nov. 18. The project, which tracks migration movements, said about 14,900 migrants, including over 1,000 women and more than 530 children, were intercepted and returned to Libya this year. In 2022, the project reported 529 dead and 848 missing off Libya. The abuse often accompanies attempts to extort money from the families of the imprisoned migrants before allowing them to leave Libya on traffickers’ boats to Europe.

We welcome the SRSG's efforts to convene representatives of the five major stakeholders in a preparatory meeting as a next step towards resolving the outstanding issues related to elections. The SRSG has been clear that the preparatory meeting will provide space for all parties to express their concerns. President, the benefits of setting Libya on the path towards a democratic, united, and stable state would be enormous. We urge those invited to the preparatory meeting of the major stakeholders to fully engage in order to fulfil their responsibilities to the Libyan people. The UK will continue to support the SRSG and work across Libya's divides to deliver for the Libyan people.

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More than 60 people, including women and children, have drowned after their boat sank off Libya. The deaths were caused by high waves which swamped the vessel after it left the country's north-west coast. Most of the victims were from Nigeria, the Gambia and other African countries. More than 20 people were rescued. They have since been transferred to a Libyan detention centre.

Over Sixty Migrants Drown After Shipwreck Off Libyan CoastAt least 61 migrants, mostly from Nigeria, Gambia, and other African nations, are presumed to have drowned in the Mediterranean Sea when their vessel capsized due to high waves near Libya. The boat, carrying 86 individuals and departing from Zuwara, had 25 survivors who were taken to a Libyan detention centre. The IOM highlighted the perilous nature of the central Mediterranean migration route, noting over 2,250 deaths this year alone. The Mediterranean Sea serves as a crucial route for African migrants heading to Europe, notably Italy, with almost 140,000 arrivals recorded this year. An incident in 2019 when more than 100 migrants drowned off the Libyan coast and another in Greece in June 2023 that left 78 people dead and over 500 missing, highlights the plight of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea in search of a better life.

TRIPOLI: At least 61 migrants were missing and presumed dead after their boat sank off Libya’s coast, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Saturday, in the latest such tragedy off North Africa. Libya and Tunisia are principal departure points for migrants risking dangerous sea voyages in hopes of reaching Europe, via Italy. More than 153,000 migrants arrived in Italy this year from Tunisia and Libya, according to the United Nations refugee agency. Her approach to tackling illegal migration won praise from British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during a visit to Rome on Saturday. The United Nations has described the central Mediterranean migration route as the world’s deadliest, claiming hundreds of lives each year.

(MENAFN) In a devastating incident, a migrant boat carrying approximately 86 people, including women and children, sank off the coast of Libya, resulting in the tragic death of 61 individuals, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) on Saturday. The vessel departed from the Libyan city of Zwara, and survivors revealed that the high waves proved fatal for a significant number of migrants. This heartbreaking event underscores the continued peril faced by migrants attempting dangerous sea voyages in the hope of reaching Europe via Italy. The tragic event amplifies the ongoing migrant crisis in the region, with Libya and Tunisia serving as principal departure points for individuals risking perilous journeys. Italy has seen a significant influx of migrants, with over 153,000 arrivals from Tunisia and Libya in the current year, according to the United Nations refugee agency.

UN Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, will brief the Security Council about the situation the country today. According to the council’s agenda, Bathily and member states will also discuss report of the Secretary-General, António Guterres, on the UN Support Mission in Libya. The briefing will be followed by closed-door consultations.

Sixty-one migrants, including women and children, drowned following a shipwreck off Libya, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said. "The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world's most dangerous migration routes," IOM said. 🚨 61 migrants including women and children drowned following a tragic shipwreck off Libya. The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world's most dangerous migration routes. pic.twitter.com/RsFSUzzFYK — IOM Libya (@IOM_Libya) December 16, 2023Deadly incidents this year included one in June, when a fishing boat packed with hundreds of migrants sank off Greece after departing from Tobruk, Libya.

The Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL) and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals activated the ‘’Go Green’’ initiative to power mosques with solar generated electricity. The meeting was held to activate the memorandum of understanding concluded between REAoL and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, which was signed at the beginning of 2023. REAoL reported that the meeting reviewed and discussed ways to activate cooperation between REAoL and the Ministry of Industry and Minerals in the field of renewable energies and energy efficiency. The project to electrify several mosques using solar energy systems, that REAoL has begun to implement, was also reviewed within the first phase of the Go Green initiative. Libya launches National Strategy for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency 2023-2035 (libyaherald.com)

The UN agency said in the post: ”The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous migration routesThe boat had around 86 people on board. File Pic/APListen to this article Sixty one migrants drown in shipwreck off Libya coast x 00:00As many as 61 migrants, including women and children, have drowned following a “tragic shipwreck” off the coast of Libya, said the UN’s International Organisation for Migration (IOM), CNN reported. The UN agency said in the post: ”The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes.”Libya is a key transit point along the Central Mediterranean route. ADVERTISEMENT2,500No of people missing at sea this yearThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever

Libya, Dec 18: The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has said that 61 migrants have drowned at sea off the coast of the western Libyan city of Zuwara, some 120 km west of the capital Tripoli, while trying to reach Europe. IOM Libya posted on X late Saturday that 61 migrants including women and children drowned following a tragic shipwreck off Libya. According to the survivors, the boat with around 86 people left the Libyan shores from Zwara. “The central Mediterranean continues to be one of the world’s most dangerous migration routes,” IOM noted. According to IOM, a total of 15,383 illegal migrants were rescued and returned to Libya so far this year.

Sixty-one migrants, including women and children have drowned following a shipwreck off the coast of Libya. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Libya said, the boat, carrying around 86 people, departed the Libyan city of Zwara, about 110 kilometers from the capital, Tripoli. Saturday’s shipwreck was the latest tragedy in this part of the Mediterranean Sea, a key but dangerous route for migrants seeking a better life in Europe. According to the IOM’s missing migrants project, at least 940 migrants were reported dead and 1,248 missing of Libya between January 1 and November 18.