"The boat had sunk and they were spread out in the sea, they were trying to swim towards the coast," he said. "There were about 60 people who we were able to save because they were clinging to the (remains of the) boat." Another 140 migrants were picked up from the second boat, he said. Libya is the main departure point for mostly African migrants trying to cross to Europe. The International Organization for Migration said on Friday that since 2000 the Mediterranean had been "by far the world's deadliest border" for migrants.

“For the first time, Finland will participate as a NATO member nation in exercising collective defense of the alliance’s regions,” the Finnish Defense Forces said in a statement. This year, the drill is hosted equally by Finland, Norway and Sweden. The combined joint training will focus on the defense and protection of the Nordic region, Norwegian military officials said. Finland’s new president, Alexander Stubb, will inspect the drill together with Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre in northern Norway on March 7. Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden is to visit an airbase in northern Sweden on March 11, the country’s military said.

Additionally, the sector’s exports to European countries showed an increase of 42 percent in January 2024, to record $54 million, compared to $38 million in January 2023. Similarly, Spain experienced a 35 percent boost in imports, reaching $12 million compared to $9 million the previous year. Germany recorded an increase of 13 percent, with clothing exports amounting to $10 million in January 2024. The clothing sector's exports to Arab countries also witnessed a growth, surging by 54 percent to reach $57 million in January 2024, compared to $37 million in January 2023. Followed by exports to Libya also rose to record $12 million, compared to $4 million, an increase of 243 percent.

The EU's administrative watchdog has faulted the European Commission for a lack of transparency over its 'do no harm' policy in Libya. EU Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly (Photo: European Ombudsman)The request was made after a senior European Commission claimed in early 2022 no violations had occurred, following a report by a contractor it hired to monitor human rights in Libya. But instead of redacting the logo so as not to identify the contractor, the European Commission simply refused to release it altogether. The European Commission had also not included the contractor's report in the list of 14 documents it had identified. The stonewalling comes despite the European Commission itself admitting that the Libya coast guard, whose boats it finances, is infiltrated by criminal gangs.

Today, the French embassy in Tripoli unveiled figures showing a significant boost in French exports to Libya, amounting to €301 million (US$325 million) in 2023. This remarkable increase of 36 percent compared to 2022 highlights the resurgence of economic ties between the two nations. AdvertismentExpanding Trade HorizonsThe detailed report from the embassy points to a versatile portfolio of French exports to Libya. Revitalizing Economic RelationsAdvertismentThe surge in exports is seen as a significant indication of the revitalization of economic relations between France and Libya. The resurgence of French exports to Libya is a testament to the enduring economic ties and mutual interests that bind these two Mediterranean neighbors.

The French embassy in Tripoli reported today that French exports to Libya reached € 301 million (US$ 325 m) in 2023 – their highest since 2015. This is an increase of 36 percent compared to 2022. The embassy reports that French exports to Libya are diverse and consist mainly of medicines, agricultural products, industrial and agricultural machinery, chemicals, perfumes, cosmetics and refined products. It says the increased export figures are an indication of the resumption of economic relations between the two countries.

AdvertismentDiplomatic Formalities and Wishes for SuccessThe meeting between Hussein and Todorovic was not merely a formality but a testament to the strengthening diplomatic ties between Libya and Serbia. Implications for Libya-Serbia RelationsAdvertismentThe appointment of Dragan Todorovic as the Serbian Ambassador to Libya comes at a pivotal time, with both countries eager to enhance their diplomatic and bilateral relations. Future Prospects and CooperationAs Dragan Todorovic embarks on his diplomatic mission in Libya, the focus now shifts to the potential areas of collaboration between the two countries. The strengthening of these diplomatic ties not only benefits Libya and Serbia but also contributes to regional peace and cooperation, highlighting the importance of diplomatic channels in achieving broader geopolitical objectives. As this new chapter in Libya-Serbia relations unfolds, the appointment of Ambassador Todorovic marks a significant milestone.

The unification agreement of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce was signed yesterday, Sunday 3 March, in Tripoli, an initiative aimed at serving the business communities of both countries to promote trade missions and facilitate bilateral trade. The first step of this new unified bilateral Chamber will be the organization of an important business forum in a few weeks, alongside the Tripoli International Fair of 15-21 May, now in its fiftieth non-consecutive edition since 1927. It is a great event that we are thinking of organizing in Tripoli, in mid-May, alongside the large Tripoli trade fair", reveals Colicchi. But Libya represents a market of interest for Italian companies also in the construction and infrastructure sectors. After the 2011 revolution, the percentage of Italian companies returning to Libya is currently estimated at 70 percent.

CAIRO -- A German charity has accused the Libyan coast guard of threatening its crew members who were rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, causing at least one migrant to drown. The German charity SOS Humanity, which operates the rescue ship Humanity 1, said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets into the water during its "life-threatening intervention" on Saturday. A spokesperson for the Libyan coast guard didn't respond to phone calls and messages seeking comment. As part of the deal, the coast guard has intercepted migrants in Libyan and international waters and has returned them to Libya. "Threatening crew members of search-and-rescue vessels and risking the lives of people in need of protection is a gross violation of international law," SOS Humanity said.

The German charity SOS Humanity, which operates the rescue ship Humanity 1, said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets into the water during its “life-threatening intervention”The Libyan coast guard taking illegal migrants to shore. File pic/XListen to this article ‘Libyan coast guard hindered migrant rescue’ x 00:00A German charity has accused the Libyan coast guard of threatening its crew members who were rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea. The German charity SOS Humanity, which operates the rescue ship Humanity 1, said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets into the water during its “life-threatening intervention”. ADVERTISEMENTThe charity said migrants who were aboard three unseaworthy boats bound for Europe were forced to jump into the water. “Humanity 1 managed to rescue 77, but many others were forced on board a Libyan coast guard boat, separating at least six family members from each other and causing at least one migrant to drown.”This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies.

A German charity has accused the Libyan coast guard of threatening its crew members who were rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean Sea, causing at least one migrant to drown. The German charity SOS Humanity, which operates the rescue ship Humanity 1, said the Libyan coast guard used violence and fired live bullets into the water during its "life-threatening intervention" on Saturday. A spokesman for the Libyan coast guard didn’t respond to phone calls and messages seeking comment. As part of the deal, the coast guard has intercepted migrants in Libyan and international waters and has returned them to Libya. In October 2022, another rescue group, Sea-Watch, said the coast guard threatened to shoot down its plane used to monitor the sea for smugglers and migrant vessels .

TRIPOLI, March 3 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development Mabrouka Toghi on Sunday met with Iraqi Charge d'Affaires to Libya Ahmad al-Sahhaf in the capital Tripoli, where they discussed cultural cooperation between the two countries. "During the meeting, the two officials discussed prospects for cultural cooperation between the two brotherly countries and ways to support and develop it to serve common interests," said a statement released by the Libyan culture ministry"The minister stressed the depth of the historical relations between the two countries, and pointed to the importance of consolidating bilateral relations in various cultural fields, as well as implementing a joint program for joint cultural events," the statement said. Al-Sahhaf stressed the importance of culture and arts as one of the most important sources of soft power, and expressed his delight regarding the minister's participation in the 35th Mirbad Poetry Festival, which recently took place in Basra, Iraq, according to the statement.

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Minerals for Production, Industrial Zones and Public Affairs, Mustafa Al-Samou, met on 29 February in Tunis with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Foundation, affiliated with the Japanese government, which works with the Kaizen methodology. This was with the participation and sponsorship of the UN’s World Food Programme, and in the presence of the Director of the Ministry’s Information Technology Office, representatives of the State of Germany, and some Libyan figures who were trained in November of last year. The trainees reviewed part of their own projects before and after attending the Kaizen training course and experimented with the methodology in their projects that include the food, electronic and textile industries. For his part, the Undersecretary expressed his admiration for these projects and urged the owners of these projects to move forward in this field. He also confirmed his full readiness to support and encourage some of these projects in a way that serves the public interest and keeps pace with development and technology.

The President of the General Libyan Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, Mohamed Al-Raied, and an accompanying delegation, visited the headquarters of the German Ministry of Economy in the Province of Bavaria. The Libyan delegation were received by the Head of the Department for Developing Cooperation with Africa and the Middle East, Georg Schmidt, and Deputy Director at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Munich and Bavaria, Gabrielle Vetter. The Al-Raied invited those present from the German side to attend the Libyan-German Forum scheduled to be held in Tripoli at the end of April, and to pass this invitation on to relevant German companies and entities. They discussed topics related to Al-Maidan Company and opportunities for concluding new supply deals for the Libyan market. The delegation also toured the company’s exhibition, where they learned about the latest technologies that the company uses in developing its high-quality international products.

Al Sharq Youth Forum, Libya branch, held a dialogue session entitled “Youth towards the political path” with the participation of representatives of the Libyan House of Representatives, the High Council of State, and several active political parties in Libya. The session discussed the role of youth participation in the political future of Libya and how to prepare and educate young people about their effective role in leading the next political phase in Libya.