The Libyan Port Authority said the Russian tanker, Arctic Metagaz, sank after "sudden explosions" north of the port of Sirte. Moscow said the tanker was attacked by Ukrainian naval drones in "an act of international terrorism and maritime piracy." The Russian transport ministry said the attack was "launched from the coast of Libya by Ukrainian naval drones," without providing further details. The Libyan Port Authority said the ship was carrying about 62,000 metric tons of liquefied natural gas (LNG) on its way to Port Said, Egypt. The Russian ministry said it had departed from the northern Russian port of Murmansk.

The UN Security Council issued a press statement yesterday by Council President Michael G. Waltz (United States) in which it affirmed the central role of the UN in Libya and UNSMIL head Tetteh’s road map. It called for Libyans stakeholders to demonstrate political will, refrain from unilateral action, and unify Libya’s institutions and budget. They therefore urged all Libyan stakeholders to engage fully, seriously and without delay with the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Libya’s political road map. The members of the Security Council noted the importance of progress towards the unification of all institutions, including military and security institutions, and underscored the importance of safeguarding the unity and independence of the judicial system. The members of the Security Council called for the implementation of the Unified Development Programme and stressed the importance of establishing a unified budget to prevent further economic deterioration.

A Russian tanker carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG) sank in the Mediterranean on Wednesday after what Moscow ‌described as an attack by Ukrainian drones launched from Libya. The Arctic Metagaz sank in waters between Libya and Malta after catching fire a day earlier, ‌Libya's maritime rescue agency said in an advisory ⁠seen by Reuters. Ukraine has frequently targeted Russian oil refineries and ⁠other energy infrastructure in ⁠an attempt to deprive Russia's war machine of funding, but if confirmed, this would be its first attack on an LNG tanker. "The tanker is ‌not listed under any contracts to supply or receive LNG cargoes to Egypt," the ministry said. The ship's Russia-based manager, LLC SMP Techmanagement, and Russian LNG producer ‌Novatek have not commented on the incident.

The Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) reported today that, yesterday, its Chairman, Ali Mahmoud Hassan, received the Russian Ambassador to Libya, Aydar Aganin. The LIA reported that the meeting addressed the progress of the LIA’s investments in the Russian financial markets. Discussions also focused on supporting the LIA in implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2769 (2025) and the related procedures for its application, with the aim of strengthening the protection of the LIA’s assets and preserving their market value.

CAIRO (AP) — A Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday. The tanker was under Western sanctions, suspected to be part of Russia’s shadow fleet of energy tankers trying to bypass sanctions imposed on Moscow over its war in Ukraine. The tanker, carrying 61,000 tons of LNG, “completely sank” between Libya and Malta, a statement said. All 30 crew members were rescued and put on another vessel heading to the Libyan city of Benghazi, it said. Its last reported position was in the western Mediterranean off the coast of Malta, according to MarineTraffic, a ship-tracking platform.

Damascus – The Syrian General Authority for Land and Sea Crossings closed its border crossing with Lebanon. A media official at the Jdeidet Yabous crossing issued a statement. Mazen Alloush is the Director of Relations at the General Authority for Crossings and Customs. Movement through the Jdeidet Yabous crossing ceased in both directions. This followed a warning issued to the Lebanese side.

Following the appointment of Salem Al-Alem as Minister of Culture, the former incumbent, Mabrouka Tougui, revealed that she was prevented from entering to her former ministry’s headquarters this morning. Tougui said there was no official handover procedures between her and the new minister. This comes after Tougui had asserted in a statement yesterday that she did not accept her technical sacking by Tripoli Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, and that she was not giving up her position. It will be recalled that there is opposition to Aldabaiba’s unilateral ministerial appointments which have not passed through the relevant legislative bodies. As Tripoli PM Aldabaiba fills two vacant ministerial posts, Presidency Council expresses a split over the legality of their appointment

A Russian-flagged liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, the Arctic Metagaz, reportedly caught fire in the Mediterranean Sea, multiple media outlets reported on March 3. Russian state media TASS claimed on March 4, citing the Russian Ministry of Transport, that the gas tanker Arctic Metagas was attacked by Ukrainian sea drones. Kyiv continues to escalate its campaign against Russian oil and gas infrastructure, a key source of Moscow's revenues helping to fuel its all-out invasion of Ukraine. In recent months, Ukraine has ramped up its attacks on Russian tankers using sea drone, with Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) claiming to have struck two sanctioned Russian oil tankers, Kairos and Virat, off Turkey's Black Sea coast in late November. In December 2025, Kyiv struck a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean Sea for the first time, a source in the SBU told the Kyiv Independent, in neutral waters more than 2,000 kilometers from Ukraine.

Camilleri said the case unfolded at 1:10pm on 3 March 2026 when Malta’s Rescue Coordination Centre was alerted to a vessel in distress outside Malta’s Search and Rescue (SAR) zone. Camilleri said the Armed Forces of Malta’s Rescue Coordination Centre was informed of the situation following communication from the Moscow Coordination Centre and the vessel’s company. In coordination with the competent Libyan authorities, the Armed Forces of Malta deployed a King Air aircraft, which located the vessel at 3:58pm. Acting on behalf of the Libyan coordination centre, Malta requested the nearest vessel, MT Respect, which was 33 nautical miles away, to assist those aboard the lifeboat. Malta’s Rescue Coordination Centre was subsequently informed by MT Respect that all crew members had been found safe and accounted for.

An Armed Forces of Malta vessel was on site of the stricken Russian LNG tanker on Tuesday evening, Opposition national security spokesperson Darren Carabott said. The information was divulged to the Opposition by the government during a meeting held on Tuesday between Carabott, Opposition leader Alex Borg, Prime Minister Robert Abela and National Security Minister Byron Camilleri. Among others, Carabott asked at what time did the explosion happen and at what time did the AFM know about it. Carabott also asked at what time did the AFM vessel arrive on site of the Russian tanker, calling for a clear timeline of developments. READ ALSO | Russian LNG tanker left with gaping hole in its hull after explosion, photos show

A Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) carrier has sunk in the Mediterranean Sea within Libya’s search and rescue zone after a series of explosions and a major fire, Libyan maritime authorities have said. The ship was carrying 62,000 metric tonnes of liquefied natural gas and had been sailing from Murmansk in Russia to Port Said in Egypt. Libyan officials said the vessel sank at coordinates 34°17.6’N and 017°04.0’E, about 130 nautical miles north of the port of Sirte. Earlier reports by Malta Today said a fire broke out on board the tanker south-east of Malta and off the Libyan coast. Authorities warned of possible leakage of LNG cargo or fuel from the sunken tanker, posing both fire and pollution risks.

ShareCAIRO (AP) — A Russian-flagged tanker carrying liquefied natural gas exploded and erupted in flames before sinking in the Mediterranean Sea off Libya, authorities in the North African country said Wednesday. Russia asserted that an attack by Ukrainian sea drones was to blame. Russia’s Transport Ministry said the vessel was hit by Ukrainian sea drones launched from the Libyan coast. Previous Ukrainian attacks on Russian ships have reportedly come from the Libyan coast, though Kyiv officials haven’t publicly confirmed those reports. In the past, Ukraine’s military has said it used sea drones to sink Russian vessels in the Black Sea as part of efforts to combat Russia’s full-scale invasion, which began just over four years ago.

Investing.com -- The evolving conflict with Iran is keeping markets on edge, and Citi analyst Scott Chronert said in a note this week that investors should look to historical precedent for clues. To frame the current moment, Citi drew parallels to the 2011 Libya intervention. However, Citi emphasised that other macro shocks ultimately shaped 2011 market performance, with the S&P 500 finishing the year essentially flat, underpinned by 12% earnings growth. The key takeaway, according to Citi, is to “be prepared for unintended consequences of the Iran conflict,” including potential pressure from higher oil, inflation effects and economic headwinds. Still, Chronert said the U.S. market “may be a relative safe haven as oil prices trend higher.”Related articlesLibya 2011 offers playbook for S&P 500 in Iran conflict: CitiBuy the dip in this AI chipmaker, HSBC saysBofA upgrades Unity as stock price has baked in much of downside risks

Misrata Free Zone has announced the launch of an integrated electronic system to manage the counting, sorting and documentation of incoming goods, in a move aimed at modernising port operations. According to the zone’s administration, the system allows operators to manage voyage schedules and operational data, record container details and conditions, and document any damage with photographic evidence. It also tracks lashing and sealing procedures, monitors unloading stoppages and their causes, and provides real-time statistics and workflow charts. Officials described the project as a significant step towards improving efficiency and accuracy, reducing processing time, and enhancing transparency, as part of broader efforts to strengthen the port’s competitiveness and advance digital transformation.

President Donald Trump’s U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, Massad Boulos, commented today on the UN Security Council statement on Libya released yesterday saying:‘‘Libya’s path to lasting stability requires a credible, Libyan-led political process that unifies institutions and restores economic vitality. The United States supports SRSG Hanna Tetteh and UNSMIL as they work to facilitate this effort. We will continue engaging Libyan stakeholders in a pragmatic and coordinated approach to create the conditions necessary for secure political institutions and long-term economic prosperity’’. Security Council affirms role of UN in Libya and Tetteh’s road map – calls for Libyans to demonstrate political will, refrain from unilateral action, and unification of institutions and budgetUS working for economic and military integration by bringing together senior officials from eastern and western Libya: Massad Boulos at Security Council