The Government of National Unity (GNU) has held an expanded meeting to assess progress on strategic projects and initiatives overseen by the prime minister. The committee responsible for monitoring the projects said the 2026 plan includes around 100 strategic projects and initiatives across multiple sectors. Officials reviewed the readiness of projects for launch and public opening, approved final implementation timelines, and examined performance indicators aimed at ensuring targeted outcomes and high-quality service delivery. The meeting stressed the need for stronger coordination between implementing agencies, more efficient use of available resources, and full adherence to approved execution plans. It also called for accelerating implementation and maintaining close oversight to ensure sustained progress.

The High National Electoral Commission (HNEC) has begun overseeing elections for pharmacists’ sub-syndicates in Tripoli and Misrata, as part of efforts to support democratic practice and strengthen professional unions. Voting is taking place at the commission’s headquarters in Tripoli and at the electoral administration office in Misrata. Polls opened at 9:00 a.m. and are due to close at 2:00 p.m., according to a statement posted on the HNEC’s official channels. The commission said the process is being conducted under approved administrative and technical arrangements, aimed at ensuring transparency and integrity, and allowing members of the general assemblies to cast their ballots smoothly. It added that all necessary measures have been put in place to ensure the success of the vote, reinforcing union activity and promoting participation and institutional organisation within professional bodies.

In a bizarre yet telling reflection of Libya's prolonged instability, a mobile phone dealer in Tripoli recently received a shipment of Nokia mobile phones that were originally ordered back in 2010. Due to the civil war that erupted in 2011 and the collapse of the country's infrastructure, the phones remained stranded in warehouses for 16 years. The shipment included high-end models of the era, such as "Music-edition" phones and Nokia Communicators, which were once symbols of elite status but are now technologically obsolete. A video of the unboxing went viral on social media platforms, highlighting the absurdity of the delay caused by the conflict. The video went viral, amusing many on social media.

Sabratha Municipality launched on Saturday a voluntary tree-planting campaign to plant 500 trees in the national park, under the slogan "Planting a Tree is Planting Life." The campaign is sponsored and organized by the Environmental Sanitation Department, in cooperation with the Libyan Organization for Environment and Climate. The first phase of the campaign aims to plant 500 trees within Sabratha National Park to improve its overall scenery. Subsequent phases will include several other locations within the municipality as part of ongoing efforts to preserve the environment and enhance vegetation cover. The campaign was attended by the mayor and members of the Sabratha Municipal Council, in addition to broad community participation from the Sabratha Scout Troop, the Libyan Red Crescent Youth - Sabratha Branch, the Sabratha Security Directorate, the Agriculture Office, the Municipal Guard, the Agricultural Police, and a number of volunteers from the city.

The National Oil Corporation announced on Saturday that employees of the Zueitina Oil Company successfully re-operationalized the diesel production unit at the Zella oil field, restoring it to high efficiency in record time after a shutdown due to a complex technical malfunction. The unit's production capacity, after being restarted, reached 500 barrels of diesel per day, contributing to meeting the field's needs, according to the Libyan News Agency. The diesel unit at the Zella oil field was shut down due to a technical malfunction in early March 2015. A team of engineers and workers, were able- in a short period - to overcome all technical challenges and obstacles they faced, and recently completed the repairs.

The activities of the Libyan International Forum for the blue economy kicked off on Saturday at the Misrata Free Zone. The forum is organized and supervised by the General Union of Chambers of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, in cooperation with the Libya Trade Network and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. The forum aims to highlight the importance of the blue economy in supporting international trade and developing maritime transport systems and logistics services, through panel discussions and international contributions that enhance investment opportunities and consolidate Libya’s position as a promising regional hub in the field of the blue economy. During the forum, a joint cooperation agreement was signed between the General Union of Chambers and the Arab Academy for Science, Technology and Maritime Transport. The agreement aims to exchange expertise, support specialized training programs, and explore procedures for opening a branch of the academy in Libya.

The Ministry of Economy says prices of some basic goods have fallen by more than 30% following a government campaign to regulate the market. Suhail Abu Shaiha, undersecretary at the Ministry of Economy and Trade in the Government of National Unity, said the decline was part of a gradual correction process without imposing fixed prices. Speaking to the government’s Hakomitna platform, he said the drop was now being felt by consumers, with some goods costing more than 30% less than they did on 5 January. Abu Shaiha said the campaign would continue nationwide, in line with instructions from the prime minister, and would be carried out under existing laws. He added that authorities were closely monitoring import credit lists for each product and trader to improve transparency and market stability.

The data showed that Turkish jewelry exports to Libya reached approximately $356.2 million, placing the North African country among Türkiye’s top global destinations for gold and precious metal products. The figures point to sustained demand for jewelry and gold in Libya, despite ongoing economic and political challenges. Various gold coins and jewelry displayed for sale at a jewelry store in Istanbul, Türkiye, date and time undisclosed. In terms of export growth, Switzerland recorded the largest increase in the value of Turkish jewelry imports, benefiting from its position as a global hub for gold refining and trade. Gold seen as hedge amid uncertaintyLibya’s place among the top five buyers highlights resilient demand in its luxury and investment segments.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi emphasized the importance of resolving regional crises; especially Libya, through peaceful avenues that preserve the unity of the state and safeguard the resources of its people. The remarks came during his meeting on Saturday with the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. Both sides stressed the need to avoid any military escalation, given the serious repercussions it could entail, while supporting international efforts to establish stability in the region. The meeting between El Sisi and Kallas also addressed the situations in Sudan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, and Ukraine.

What was raised during the “Fezzan Elites and Elders Forum” held in Tripoli indirectly revealed the scale of the challenges facing the state in asserting its sovereignty over development projects in Fezzan. The suspension of projects does not merely mean a halt in implementation; it also undermines citizens’ confidence in the overall effectiveness of government plans. Acknowledging the crisis is an important step, but its real value lies in how far it translates into concrete decisions that end the paralysis and move Fezzan’s projects out of the waiting circle. Fezzan does not need more forums as much as it needs a unified political will that turns words into action and restores reconstruction to its natural course as a developmental right, not as a tool in the equation of influence. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Libya Observer

German Chancellor Angela Merkel rejected a military solution to Libya. She hosted Libyan General Khalifa Haftar at the chancellery. German government spokesman Steffen Seibert said Merkel and Haftar discussed the situation in Libya. "The Chancellor reiterated once again strongly that a military solution to the Libyan conflict is not possible and that the political process established at the Berlin conference is therefore essential," Seibert stressed.ATSH© Balkans Web

The Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity has announced the deportation of illegal Chadian migrants via Mitiga Airport. This announcement follows the completion of all applicable legal procedures and is within the framework of the National Migrant Deportation Programme, according to a statement issued by the Ministry on its Facebook page on Thursday. The Ministry confirmed the continuation of deportation operations as part of a comprehensive plan aimed at addressing the issue of illegal immigration and reducing the flow of migrants through Libyan territory, thereby ensuring the preservation of security and stability within the country.

The Special Tasks Department said it had uncovered a factory manufacturing boats used for irregular migration in the Al-Qwei’a area, west of Qasr Bin Ghashir, as part of efforts to combat human smuggling. In a statement posted on Facebook, the department said the operation followed intelligence from confidential sources indicating the presence of a site used to produce boats intended for smuggling migrants. It added that, after obtaining authorisation from the competent public prosecutor at the Attorney General’s Office, patrols from the Special Tasks Department, affiliated with the General Administration of Security Operations, raided the site and seized several boats prepared for use in human smuggling operations. The department said it would continue to take legal action against anyone found to be involved in such activities.

Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah underwent a minor medical procedure on Saturday morning at a national healthcare facility. Medical sources said Dbeibah underwent a successful cardiac catheterization procedure at Misrata Heart Centre following a sudden health issue. The same sources confirmed that his health is stable and he's recovering well. The Prime Minister’s Media Office confirmed that his health is good and stable, and that arrangements are underway for his discharge from the hospital. Dbeibah expressed his appreciation to the national medical staff and to everyone who reached out to inquire about his health, reaffirming that he will continue to carry out his official duties without interruption.

Tarhuna – Preliminary round matches for the 2025/2026 Libya Football Cup begin today. Their game is scheduled at Tarhuna Stadium. Tomorrow, Sunday, more matches are scheduled. Abi Al-Ashhar team will meet Al-Shumou’ on Al-Nahr Al-Sina’i Stadium. The winning team will qualify for the next round.