Libya reconstruction, relief hampered by political division: UN
Humanitarian aid efforts and reconstruction work in flood-devastated Libya are being seriously hampered as the country's two rival administrations remain bitterly at odds over three weeks after the disaster. The U.N. mission chief in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed Monday that the competing efforts "are counterproductive, deepen the existing divisions in the country (and) impede reconstruction efforts." The United States, Britain, France, Germany and Italy backed his call for "a unified Libyan national mechanism" coordinated with international partners "to deliver transparent and accountable relief." "There are already signs of turf wars (and corresponding disinformation campaigns) between the rivals over who should take charge of reconstruction efforts," she warned. "We urge Libyan authorities now to form such unified structures – rather than launching separate efforts – that represent the Libyan people without delay."
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 13:22 UTC
Malta jails Libyan hijack accomplice
VALLETTA : A supporter of former Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi who was involved in the hijacking of an aircraft to Malta in 2016 has been jailed for 10 years by a Maltese court after he pleaded guilty. Ali Ahmed Lano Saleh was one of two men who hijacked an Afriqiyah Airlines Airbus A320 to Malta on Dec. 23, 2016. The plane had been on an internal flight in Libya when the two hijackers ordered the pilot to divert to Rome. The hijackers had threatened to blow up the plane, but their weapons later turned out to be fake and the 109 passengers were released unharmed. The hijack mastermind, Soko Moussa Shaha Ali, was jailed for 25 years in 2020.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 13:15 UTC
Libya flood relief hampered by 'turf wars' and division
More than three weeks after Libya's deadly flood disaster, the divided country's two rival administrations remain bitterly at odds on how to manage the massive aid and reconstruction effort. The UN mission chief in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, stressed Monday that the competing efforts "are counterproductive, deepen the existing divisions in the country (and) impede reconstruction efforts". The United States, Britain, France, Germany and Italy backed his call for "a unified Libyan national mechanism" coordinated with international partners "to deliver transparent and accountable relief". "There are already signs of turf wars (and corresponding disinformation campaigns) between the rivals over who should take charge of reconstruction efforts," she warned. "We urge Libyan authorities now to form such unified structures -– rather than launching separate efforts -– that represent the Libyan people without delay."
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 12:20 UTC
Resumption of flights between Libya and Italy after a decade
ALBAWABA - Flights between Libya and Italy have resumed today, Saturday, after a hiatus of nearly 10 years, despite the European ban on Libyan airlines, according to journalists from "France Press" and Libyan authorities. The company, which began operations in 2022, will provide two weekly flights to Rome on Saturdays and Wednesdays. The government based in Tripoli, recognized by the United Nations, stated on its Facebook page that the resumption of flights is part of "intensive government efforts to lift the European ban imposed on Libyan civil aviation." With this development, Italy becomes the second European country, after Malta, to have a direct air link with Libya, despite Libyan airlines being blacklisted since 2014 from flying over European Union airspace. Since then, European countries suspended their flights to Libya, banned Libyan planes from landing, and closed their airspace to Libyan airlines for security reasons.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 12:10 UTC
In Libya’s devastated Derna, families still search for the missing
By Ayman al-WarfaliDERNA, Libya (Reuters) – Since a huge flood swept away whole neighbourhoods of Libya’s city of Derna last month, Abdulsalam al-Kadi has been searching for his father and brother. Those were really tough days. They still are really tough days,” said the 43-year-old who spent two days travelling to Derna from his new home in the United States. “It drove me crazy.”COMPLICATED RECONSTRUCTIONDerna, a coastal city in eastern Libya known as a cultural centre, was built on a seasonal river that ran from a mountain range into the sea. For Kadi, the priority remains finding his lost family members – a daunting task for him and thousands of others.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 11:38 UTC
Rising Oil Prices Threaten Economic Stability
While the Federal Reserve’s rate hikes have helped curb inflation, factors like oil supply dynamics are outside their control. Rising oil prices put the Fed’s attempts to engineer a soft landing for the economy in jeopardy. U.S. oil production fell 3 million barrels per day in response. This imbalance sparked a climb in oil prices that would last for the next two years. ConclusionIn summary, OPEC+ supply reductions are the primary accelerator behind renewed oil price momentum nearing $100 per barrel.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 11:37 UTC
Eastern Libyan government meets Chinese solar company, discusses 1,500 MW solar energy project
The internationally not recognised eastern Libyan government announced yesterday that it is discussing with China the localisation of solar energy in eastern Libya. It reported that the head of the Solar Energy Localisation Committee in Libya at the (eastern) Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Salem Al-Obaidi, toured regional sites accompanied by the Middle East Regional Representative of PowerChina, Ji Jianfu. The eastern Libyan government said the PowerChina visit is in continuation of the memorandum of understanding signed last June to localize 1,500 megawatts of solar energy in Libya. The visit included the sites of renewable energy stations in the Al-Mukhaili area, and several stations damaged by Storm Daniel in the area were also visited. China ready to implement solar projects and help in post-Storm Daniel reconstructionThe visit included a series of meetings with municipal officials in the eastern region, during which China expressed its readiness to cooperate with the Libyan government and work to implement energy plants in the region and contribute to the reconstruction of the cities affected by the Daniel disaster.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 11:27 UTC
Ondo NSCDC arrests two for trafficking girls to Libya
The Ondo State Command of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps on Monday said it had arrested two persons, Babatunde Oluwasola and Dada Fowowe, for their alleged involvement in human trafficking. He said they were allegedly involved in recruiting three young girls to travel to Libya in April this year. Aidamenbor said, “Babatunde Oluwasola a.k.a Osanle, 56 years, a carpenter from Osun State but resides in Akure recruited three girls from Akure to Libya sometime around April 2023. “He got one of them with the help of Dada Fowowe a.k.a Iya Alaso, 47, a trader from Ondo State. The victims who travelled through the desert to Libya called Babatunde through the agent that received them two weeks after they departed from Akure, Ondo State to inform him of their arrival in Libya.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 11:24 UTC
Is Libya the new route of the US-Russia competition?
What is striking about Langley’s trip to Libya is that, after visiting Tripoli, he had meetings with Haftar in Benghazi. The other development was Yevkurov’s Benghazi visit shortly before the death of the PMC’s leader, Evgeny Prigozhin. The visits mentioned above indicate that a new competition and power struggle between the US and Russia is emerging in Libya. A New ‘Cold War’The emerging picture suggests that competition between the two superpowers in Libya resembles a new “Cold War” order. However, the conflicting interests of the United States and Russia suggest that this strategy may not be long-lasting for Haftar.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 11:02 UTC
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UN envoy calls for unity to rebuild Libya's flood-hit areas amid 'competing initiatives'
UN Special Envoy for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said on Monday that unity is needed amid what he called “unilateral and competing initiatives” by Libyan parties on the reconstruction of Derna and other flood-impacted areas. He urged Libya's rival authorities and their international partners to allow the mechanism to be set up to ensure “transparency and accountability”. Following the disaster, there were calls from within and outside Libya for an international investigation, reflecting the deep public mistrust in state institutions. The country’s east and south have been under the control of general Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army, which is allied with a parliament-confirmed government. “I call on all governmental institutions and political parties to be neutral on the Derna reconstruction file from the political conflict.”
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 10:46 UTC
Migration, climate change and Europe’s budget: Key takeaways from the Med9 summit
MigrationThe Med9 leaders, in a joint declaration, called on co-legislators to agree on the EU’s migration pact before the legislative term’s end. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed Abela’s sentiments, emphasising the need for a structural solution to migration. Climate ChangeLeaders recognised the disproportionate impact of the climate crisis on the Mediterranean region. Indeed, Slovenian prime minister Robert Golob said that climate change must be tackled immediately, and financially. Meloni said during the Med9 summit that Italy is expecting massive resources from the MFF, while Croatia’s prime minister Andrej Plenković said that resources should also be put towards climate crisis relief.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 10:45 UTC
In Libya's devastated Derna, families still search for the missing
DERNA, Libya : Since a huge flood swept away whole neighbourhoods of Libya's city of Derna last month, Abdulsalam al-Kadi has been searching for his father and brother. Those were really tough days. They still are really tough days," said the 43-year-old who spent two days travelling to Derna from his new home in the United States. COMPLICATED RECONSTRUCTIONDerna, a coastal city in eastern Libya known as a cultural centre, was built on a seasonal river that ran from a mountain range into the sea. For Kadi, the priority remains finding his lost family members - a daunting task for him and thousands of others.
Source:Libya Today
October 03, 2023 09:44 UTC
Centara sends aid to Morocco and Libya
BANGKOK, 3 October 2023: Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha partnered with Red Crescent Qatar to extend vital assistance to the earthquake and flood-affected regions of Morocco and Libya. To facilitate this initiative and engage its community, Centara West Bay Hotel placed donation boxes at the hotel. Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha, General Manager Sean Spinks expressed his pride in the hotel’s ongoing collaboration with Red Crescent Qatar and organisations to support the community and enhance corporate social responsibility. He remarked: “Centara West Bay has taken steps to support Morocco and Libya during their time of need. Centara’s portfolio comprises six brands – Centara Reserve, Centara Boutique Collection, Centara Grand, Centara, Centra by Centara and COSI Hotels.
Source:Libya Today
October 02, 2023 23:14 UTC
9 Strategies for Boosting Revenue with Digital Menu Boards
In today’s fast-paced world, delivering unparalleled convenience to customers is at the top of the priority list for service-focused businesses. In particular, c-stores, retail petroleum sites, grocery stores and quick serve restaurants are looking for unique and innovative ways to enable a seamless and convenient experience. From showcasing “grab and go” lunch specials to providing customers with real-time "order up" status, digital menu boards have emerged as an ideal way to serve patrons quickly and conveniently. These dynamic displays not only streamline operations, but also offer a myriad of opportunities to boost revenue. Here are nine strategies to help you harness the power of digital screens and menu boards and drive revenue growth at your locations:
Source:Libya Today
October 02, 2023 18:53 UTC
Lebanese security services arrest 2 Syrians involved in people smuggling from Libya
BEIRUT: Lebanon’s General Directorate of Internal Security Forces announced on Monday that they had arrested two Syrian nationals, aged 48 and 52, on suspicion of people smuggling. The suspects had been accused of smuggling people of various nationalities from Libya to Europe via boats. The suspects were operating in coordination with people of Lebanese nationality in the Wadi Khaled region in northern Lebanon, on the border with Syria. They also reportedly admitted that hundreds of people were smuggled by sea from Libya to Italy and Greece using boats. The Lebanese army has announced a series of security operations over the past two years that have resulted in the arrest of Daesh-affiliated armed cells preparing to implement terrorist plots inside Lebanon.
Source:Libya Today
October 02, 2023 18:51 UTC