QNATripoli: Prime Minister of the Libyan National Unity Government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and Prime Minister of Malta Robert Abela discussed enhancing bilateral relations during their meeting in the Libyan capital on Tuesday. The two sides exchanged views on combating illegal migration and terrorism, along with discussing matters regarding energy and investment. They also signed a renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments in the field of combating illegal migration.

CAIRO – 16 July 2024: The Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy revealed Tuesday that the electricity linkage between Egypt and Saudi Arabia would begin operation in Fall 2025 with a capacity of 3,000 megawatts as a first phase. Former Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Mohamed Shaker told Youm7 in July 2023 that studies were underway to raise the output of electricity linkage with Libya from 150 megawatts to 2,000 megawatts. The minister also revealed that studies were being carried out to raise the output of electricity linkage with Jordan from 450 megawatts to 1,100 megawatts with a line capacity of 400 kilovolts. Minister Shaker pointed out that the purpose of electricity linkage projects is turning Egypt into a global energy hub given its location between Africa, Europe, and the Arab Gulf. He added that studies are being conducted to accomplish electricity linkage with African states capitalizing on their hydropower capabilities.

The General Authority for Research and Identification of Missing Persons announced the discovery of a mass grave in the Al-Campo area of the Al-Giza Al-Bahriya neighbourhood in Sirte. In a statement Monday, officials confirmed that forensic teams have so far recovered 24 unidentified bodies from the site. In addition to the mass grave, specialized teams retrieved 17 more bodies from the rubble of demolished buildings in the same neighbourhood. Authorities have taken DNA samples from a total of 59 unidentified bodies to aid in the identification process. Following thorough examinations by the Forensic Medicine Department, the bodies were buried in the Abu Rawila cemetery in Sirte, complying with all legal and forensic procedures.

Malta has extended a migration agreement it has with Libya, the Office of the Prime Minister announced on Tuesday, following bilateral meetings with the country. Prime Minister Robert Abela met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli, where they both agreed to extend the project, which they say is aimed at combatting illegal migration. Addressing the media after the meeting, Abela said that migration is part of a wider discussion that builds on strategic relationships between Europe and North African countries like Libya. Prime Minister Roberta Abela on attending bilateral meetings with Libya. Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri, Cabinet Secretary Ryan Spagnol and OPM head of secretariat Mark Mallia also attended bilateral meetings.

Prime Minister Robert Abela headed to the Libyan capital of Tripoli on Tuesday morning, where he will stay overnight for talks Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is also expected to attend the Mediterranean Immigration Forum, attended by other African and European countries. We cannot address illegal immigration without the commitment of European countries with transit or origin countries like Libya,” Abela said. Abela said Malta viewed Libya as a strategic partner with the European Union in the Mediterranean in important areas such as renewable energy. Malta was the first EU member state to resume flights between Malta and Libya.

Migration Management has announced that recent reports claiming over 10 million migrants in Türkiye are inaccurate. Migration ManagementMigration Management also emphasized their ongoing efforts to combat irregular migration. Their statement included the following:Operations and inspections to identify and apprehend irregular migrants are conducted uninterruptedly and resolutely on a 24/7 basis. All data related to the apprehension and deportation of irregular migrants are officially recorded and publicly announced. Migration ManagementIn addition, the Directorate of Migration Management emphasized in a statement that they do not have any authority to grant citizenship to immigrants.

The Turkish Armed Forces announced through their official X account that Chief of General Staff General Metin Gurak visited Libya for official engagements. Upon arrival, General Gurak was received with a military ceremony by his Libyan counterpart, Chief of General Staff Gen. Mohamed al-Haddad. Resmî temaslarda bulunmak üzere Libya’ya giden Genelkurmay Başkanı Orgeneral Metin GÜRAK, Libya Genelkurmay Başkanı Orgeneral Muhammed el-HADDAD tarafından askerî törenle karşılanmıştır. General Gurak conducted inspections and evaluations at several key locations, including the Turkish Task Force Command in Libya, the Turkish Naval Task Group aboard the TCG Kemalreisship, the Misurata Central Military Region Command, and the Misurata Turkish Senior Officer’s Office. The video of the visit shared by the Turkish Armed Forces’ official X account notably featured the Akinci UCAV (Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle).

Cannabis activists ReLeaf Malta came out against statements made by ARUC chief executive Joey Reno Vella to ban the outdoor cultivation of cannabis by its registered retailers. “Therefore, outdoor cultivation is now totally prohibited, as per the amendments in the directives,” Vella was quoted as saying. “The reason for this is so that the associations have full control over the cultivation of the cannabis product, as outdoor cultivation would be open to more pests and elements.”ReLeaf Malta said it was “outraged” by what is called “overly bureaucratic directives banning outdoor cultivation for cannabis associations. “This contradicts environmentally friendly practices, forcing clubs to rely on artificial lights, climate control, and other power-consuming methods,” ReLeaf president Andrew Bonello said. We believe association cultivators should have the freedom to choose their preferred sustainable, eco-friendly cultivation methods.

Doubts over the scale and pace of Libyan oil production increases helped oil futures markets recover some ground. "But in the past forecasts of a quick resumption of (Libyan) oil exports have proven unfounded, so we need to wait and see." Snow, ice and very cold temperatures can limit gasoline demand and disrupt oil production and refining, but also tend to boost consumption of middle distillates such as heating oil. South Sudan's oil production remained a concern even after the government and rebels last week agreed to peace talks. Three weeks of fighting have left more than a thousand people dead and disrupted oil supply from the African country.

The United Nations’ Human Rights Committee concluded a third periodic report of Malta’s implentation of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, commending the introduction of quotas for the political representation of women. But the UNHRC raised questions on Malta’s measures to combat corruption and whether it was complying with its obligations under maritime law in cases of search and rescue. Women now occupy 17.5% of board positions in Malta's largest listed companies as of 2023, compared to 4.5% in 2015. The delegation also said that Malta’s financial crimes investigation department had been significantly strengthened, with a focus on human and financial resources. As for corruption investigations, in 2024 there had been 17 prosecutions, of which three were public officers.

Two military drones were seized by Italian authorities on their way from China to Libya. They were found in containers and disguised to look like wind turbine parts, Italian officials said. Footage of Italian authorities intercepting components of two Chinese Wing Loong II UAVs disguised as wind turbines that were heading to Libya. https://t.co/ALY7IBwRaA pic.twitter.com/WeKoW0i7Rs — Clash Report (@clashreport) July 3, 2024The Times of London reported on Sunday that Italian authorities had acted on intelligence from the US. The UN report and a BBC investigation found that Wing Loong-2 drones were likely supplied by the United Arab Emirates, which has long been accused of backing Haftar.

FILE - Palestine's Mohammed Rashid (3) and Qatar's Abdel Aziz Hatim compete for the ball during the Asian Cup round of 16 soccer match between Qatar and Palestine at Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Monday, Jan. 29, 2024. Rashid once worked as a forklift driver in a Chicago warehouse

Land routes across Africa are twice as deadly for migrants as Mediterranean voyages, UN estimatesThe U.N. and partners say more migrants and refugees in Africa are heading north toward the Mediterranean and Europe, crossing dangerous land routes in the Sahara where criminal gangs roam subject them to enslavement, organ removal, rape, kidnapping for ransom and other abuses

Nigeria will face Benin, Libya and Rwanda in Group D of the qualifiers for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON qualifiers) in Morocco as unveiled on Thursday at the draw ceremony in Johannesburg, South Africa. The 2025 AFCON will be played from December 21, 2025 to January 18, 2026 following the decision of CAF to adjust the schedule of the tournament for the congested FIFA calendar. It will be the first time in Nations Cup history that the tournament will kick off in December and run over the Christmas and New Year periods. — Winners and runners-up qualify from each group except that containing Morocco, who will take part to gain competitive match practice. — Morocco will host Cup of Nations from Dec 21 2025 to Jan 18 2026.

If we are to lead Libya towards security and political stability, and allow for an electoral process, we must rid the country of mercenaries and militias. To avoid a security vacuum, we must expedite efforts to unify the Libyan military as an institution and to rebuild the army. However, a veto preventing the Libyan military from meeting its responsibility to restore the country's stability has persisted. The Joint Military Commission was left to fend for itself and resolve the crisis in Libya on its own. Clearing out the militias, mercenaries, and foreign forces in Libya is what the country needs most of all.