The officials, all involved in defence matters, declined to be identified due to sensitivity surrounding the agreementPhoto: ISPRPakistan has reached a major multi-billion dollar conventional arms export deal with Libya, four Pakistani officials told Reuters. Libya has technically remained under a UN arms embargo since February 2011, imposed through United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1970 and later reinforced by subsequent resolutions, including UNSCR 1973. The embargo prohibits all states from supplying, selling or transferring arms and related materiel to Libya. According to the sources, the arms embargo exists more as a formal or “paper” restriction rather than a meaningful barrier on the ground. Over the years, rival Libyan factions have received extensive military support from external powers.

Benghazi – The Minister of Interior, Major General Essam Abu Zuriba, met today, Monday. He held discussions with MP Saeed Sabaqa. They also discussed ministry mechanisms. MP Saeed Sabaqa lauded the efforts of the Minister. This response addresses security and traffic challenges.

Rabat – The Moroccan national team began its Africa Cup of Nations journey yesterday evening. The Moroccan team missed a penalty kick in the first half. With this win, the Moroccan team topped Group A standings. Today, Monday, the Morocco 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals will feature three Group A matches. These are crucial rounds to determine the group standings.

Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir with his Libyan counterpart, Khalifa Belqasim Haftar. Libya is reportedly considering the acquisition of Pakistani-made JF-17 fighter jets under a defence package valued billions. Defence Security Asia reported that Pakistan and Libya have “reportedly inked a $4.6 billion defence deal,” describing it as one of Pakistan’s largest export packages. The reported Libya talks face legal and political hurdles. No official confirmation has been issued by Libya’s internationally recognised authorities in Tripoli or by Pakistan’s defence ministry.

UN Photo/Evan SchneiderHanna Serwaa Tetteh (on screen), Special Representative and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), briefs the Security Council meeting on the situation in Libya. The path to long-awaited elections in Libya is paved with complications but they can be overcome, the UN Special Representative for the country said on Friday in a briefing to the Security Council. Lack of trustMs. Tetteh has been engaging with stakeholders on implementation of the roadmap, which she had presented to the Council in August. Following simultaneous demonstrations in five cities last month, HoR Speaker Aguila Saleh called for presidential elections to be held. “Four years later, the country’s path to elections remains fraught with complications that are challenging but can be overcome,” she said.

An interior view showing selected artifacts at the Libya National Museum, located in Tripoli’s Al-Hamra Palace, Dec. 22, 2025. A view of historical artifacts displayed at the Libya National Museum in Tripoli’s Al-Hamra Palace complex, Dec. 22, 2025. A selection of artifacts exhibited at the Libya National Museum, housed in the historic Al-Hamra Palace in Tripoli, Dec. 22, 2025. A selection of artifacts exhibited at the Libya National Museum, housed in the historic Al-Hamra Palace in Tripoli, Dec. 22, 2025. Mummies on display at the Libya National Museum inside Tripoli’s historic Al-Hamra Palace, Dec. 22, 2025.

Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA) announced that militias of the leader of the illegitimate armed forces in the east of the country, Khalifa Haftar, have carried out intensive attacks in the Abu Qurain region of Misrata. He said that fierce conflicts are continuing in the Abu Qurain region. The Libyan capital, Tripoli, has been the target of attacks by Haftar's militias since April 4, 2019. Haftar's forces continued their attacks throughout the week despite calls for a ceasefire on January 19 at the Berlin Conference in Germany. Haftar's militias also hit Mitiga airport, which is the capital's only door to the world, with Grad missiles.

Libya’s Central Bank (CBL) governor, Naji Issa, has discussed efforts to stabilise the country’s economy with the EU ambassador to Libya, Nicola Orlando, according to a post by the ambassador on X.Orlando said the talks focused on supporting economic reforms aimed at expanding trade and investment between Libya and Europe. He added that he had praised the Central Bank of Libya’s commitment to financial sustainability and inclusive development across the country, reaffirming the EU’s support for the reform programme through targeted technical assistance and capacity-building initiatives.

The Times of Islamabad newspaper has revealed that Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense memorandum of understanding that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a deal estimated to be worth several billion dollars. The report follows a visit by Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Asim Munir, to Benghazi, where he met with Khalifa Haftar to discuss strengthening cooperation in training and capacity building, with a focus on providing Haftar’s forces with advanced defense platforms, according to the newspaper. The JF-17 Thunder is a 4.5-generation multirole fighter aircraft developed jointly by Pakistan and China. It has achieved notable international export success, including the sale of 40 aircraft to Azerbaijan in a deal valued at $4.6 billion, according to defense reports. According to the newspaper, Khalifa Haftar is seeking reliable partners outside traditional suppliers constrained by UN sanctions or political conditions, such as Russia.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah announced that Germany has reopened its embassy in Tripoli, which has been closed for 7 years. A statement from the Libyan government said that Dbeibah received in a meeting German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, who today paid an official visit to the capital Tripoli. The meeting discussed the latest political developments in Libya, the possibilities for achieving progress for the planned elections to be held at the end of the year in the country, as well as the difficulties ahead of the elections. Dbeibah, within the framework of Minister Maas' visit, emphasized that Germany has reopened its embassy and resumed its activities in Tripoli. "The reactivation of the embassy is a step towards stability and another positive result," said the Libyan prime minister, who added: "I am delighted with the visit of German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and look forward to the realization of privileged relations between the two countries.

Pakistani media organisations reported a meeting between Pakistani Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and his Libyan counterpart, Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, in the Libyan capital on Friday (December 19). But what drives the relationship between the countries, which do not seem to have obvious shared interests at first glance? Bilateral ties between Pakistan and Libya were established in 1951, the year Libya gained independence from Italy. Story continues below this adThe Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. (Wikimedia Commons) The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The UN Security Council’s A3+ group has called for the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries from Libya, warning that foreign interference continues to undermine stability. Speaking in New York, Algeria’s UN ambassador said arms flows and fuel smuggling were worsening the situation, with spillover effects in Sudan and the Sahel. The group welcomed recent local elections in eastern Libya and backed UN-led talks, stressing Libyan ownership of the political process. It also urged progress towards a unified budget and closer cooperation with African and regional partners.

The operation highlights the continued challenges facing authorities even as they claim to have dismantled all known production facilities across the country. Enforcement efforts yield mixed resultsIn early June, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced that all known Captagon production facilities had been dismantled. Later that month, security forces confiscated approximately 3 million pills and 50 kilograms of hashish following an armed confrontation with smugglers near the Lebanese border. Another 1.7 million pills were seized in eastern Daraa province, already packed for smuggling. In October, Syrian officials confiscated 11 million pills from a vehicle entering southern Homs from Lebanon.

He exercises executive authority formed in March 2021 through a UN-facilitated process (Libyan Political Dialogue Forum), but this authority is politically contested and territorially constrained. The PM does not control Eastern Libya, where FM Haftar enjoys political and military influence. The Pakistan military can contribute to the training of Libyan officers, pilots, engineers and units of logistics. Pakistan must carefully engage and keep a balance in its relationship with Libya under FM Haftar and Turkey. Pakistan must also demonstrate to Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt that it respects their security concerns in Libya.

The Ministry of Finance of the Government of National Unity has signed an agreement with the OPEC Fund for International Development to implement a capacity-building and on-the-job training programme for employees of the Ministry and its affiliated entities. The programme aims to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of public employees by strengthening their technical and professional capabilities in areas related to development finance and financial engineering, according to a post on the "Our Government" platform's Facebook page. The programme is expected to contribute to supporting institutional reform efforts and improving public sector performance