Slavery and Human Trafficking in Libya
The establishment of militias and gangs across the country developed a network of human trafficking and illegal migration flows from sub-Saharan Africa to Europe. It also fosters trade in human cargo, in other words, slavery. Slavery and human trafficking in Libya have become a serious threat. Failing to ActThe slave trade in Libya was facilitated by the failure of international organizations and foreign countries. By tightening measures to contain migration from Libya, European countries have fueled the slave trade without providing a viable solution for thousands of African migrants stuck in Libya.
Source:Libya Today
February 14, 2020 15:33 UTC
Fri. 8:49 a.m.: EU officials push for bloc to enforce Libya arms embargo
BERLIN (AP) — European Union officials are seeking support from member states to have naval ships enforce the U.N. arms embargo against Libya, according to a confidential memo obtained today by The Associated Press. World powers agreed at a conference in Berlin last month to respect the arms embargo against Libya, but in practice weapons have continued to flow to the two warring factions. Since the 2011 ouster and subsequent death of dictator Moammar Gadhafi, Libya has sunk further into chaos and turmoil. The renewed clashes came just hours after the United Nations Security Council endorsed a 55-point road map for ending the war that demanded foreign backers of Libya’s warring sides uphold a widely flouted arms embargo. Hunko called for a civilian operation to oversee the arms embargo.
Source:Libya Today
February 14, 2020 13:41 UTC
Africa must solve its own problems
The African leaders pointed at the crisis in Libya where a full-scale civil war has rolled out, supported and funded by outside forces. But what came out strongly from the summit is that until Africans unite and learn to solve their own problems, peace and development will only be an illusion. All problems in Africa should be resolved by Africans and the continent has the means to solve her problems through the AU, using social, political and economic strategies. AU Standby Brigade should be deployed in all hotspots and solve the problems. African problems for African elders.
Source:Libya Today
February 14, 2020 10:18 UTC
Macron’s Plan to End the Libyan Conflict Only Made Things Worse
BloombergBloomberg | Quint is a multiplatform, Indian business and financial news company. We combine Bloomberg’s global leadership in business and financial news and data, with Quintillion Media’s deep expertise in the Indian market and digital news delivery, to provide high quality business news, insights and trends for India’s sophisticated audiences.
Source:Libya Today
February 14, 2020 07:07 UTC
OPEC's Revised Supply/Demand Outlook For 2020
OPEC's revised estimate for the demand for its oil has dropped to 29.3 million barrels per day for 2020. It forecasts demand for OPEC crude will be 29.3 million in 2020, about 1.3 million lower than the 2019 level. OPEC's projection for the demand for its oil in 2020 rests on a global demand increase of 910,000 b/d, which it revised down by 230,000 b/d due to the coronavirus in China and its impact on oil demand there. OPEC is projecting that non-OPEC liquids production (crude plus NGLs) will rise by 2.25 million barrels per day in 2020. That level is approximately OPEC's demand projection for 2Q20 (28.290) if Libyan production stays low until the end of the second quarter.
Source:Libya Today
February 14, 2020 00:04 UTC
Woman killed, civilians injured in renewed rocket attacks by Haftar's forces in Tripoli
One woman was killed and several civilians were wounded in fresh rocket attacks Thursday by Khalifa Haftar's forces on residential areas in Tripoli. "A woman named Layla Bukharais was killed in Hay Dimashiq area in Tripoli as one of Haftar's indiscriminate rockets fell on her house. On the frontlines in southern Tripoli, clashes have broken out between Haftar's forces and Volcano of Rage Operation forces on Khallatat frontline as the former tried to advance toward fuel depot complex on Tripoli Airport Road. The advance was repelled and several of Haftar's fighters were killed and captured, while eight vehicles were seized. Gununu said the Libyan Army will respond mercilessly to any breaches of the ceasefire by Haftar's forces.
Source:Libya Observer
February 13, 2020 19:30 UTC
Human Rights Watch accuses Haftar's forces of using cluster munitions in Tripoli
Human Rights Watch accused Thursday Khalifa Haftar's forces of using banned cluster munitions in a residential area in Tripoli on December 02 2019. The human rights body said. "During the December 17 site visit, Human Rights Watch interviewed two men who said they were there during the attack. Human Rights Watch explained. Meanwhile, Stephen Goose, arms division director at Human Rights Watch and chair of the Cluster Munition Coalition, said using cluster munitions shows reckless disregard for the safety of civilians.
Source:Libya Observer
February 13, 2020 18:56 UTC
Libya's Foreign Minister: Implementation of Security Council ceasefire resolution is crucial
The Libyan Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala has welcomed the UN Security Council resolution that calls for a ceasefire in Libya, saying he has hoped the resolution receives a unanimous approval. Sayala added that what is important for the UN Security Council resolution is the implementation of the ceasefire in southern Tripoli on the ground. In the meantime, Libya's ambassador to the UN Al-Taher El Sonni also hailed the resolution, saying in his Security Council speech that the resolution was an official announcement of the failure of the aggressor and his supporters' military operations and coup against legitimacy. The UN Security Council adopted a British resolution on Wednesday by 14 votes as Russia abstained from voting. The resolution backs up Berlin conclusions that call for a ceasefire in Libya.
Source:Libya Observer
February 13, 2020 18:33 UTC
Violent conflict: New clashes in Libya despite UN ceasefire call
Rival forces clashed in the Libyan capital Thursday, causing new civilian casualties in the grinding conflict a day after a UN Security Council resolution called for a "lasting ceasefire". - Attack 'repelled' -Mejii accused pro-Haftar forces of repeatedly violating the ceasefire called for by outside powers Russia and Turkey. The UNSC resolution adopted Wednesday affirmed "the need for a lasting ceasefire in Libya at the earliest opportunity, without pre-conditions". Libya has been subject to a much-abused arms embargo since 2011, when a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime dictator Moamer Khadhafi. Human Rights Watch on Thursday accused pro-Haftar forces of having used cluster munitions in a residential area in Tripoli on December 2.
Source:Libya Today
February 13, 2020 15:33 UTC
24 int'l agreements signed by Oil Ministry during EGYPS 2020
People visiting last year’s Egypt Petroleum Show – EGYPS official websiteCAIRO - 13 February 2020: The Ministry of Petroleum and its affiliate companies have signed 24 agreements and memorandums of understanding with international companies and institutions.This comes as part of the three-day Egypt Petroleum Show (EGYPS 2020).Eight deals were signed with US giants Bechtel and Chevron Corporations and British Petroleum (BP) company. Some other deals were inked with Schlumberger international, Italy’s Landi Renzo and Saipem companies, Shell Egypt, Canada’s Methanex Corporation, Germany’s Siempelkamp and Europe's Neptune Energy company.Other cooperation deals were signed with Chile, Somalia, Equatorial Guinea and the US Trade and Development Agency.Among the key agreements signed is the Egyptian Petrochemicals Holding Company’s deal with the US Bechtel Corporation to implement a refining and petrochemical complex in the Suez Canal Economic Zone at an investment cost worth about 6.7 billion dollars.The ministry also signed a deal to cooperate with Neptune Energy Company in exploring for oil and natural gas in the Gulf of Suez with $35 million investments. The deal included a grant valued at $11 million to dig three wells.The Egyptian General Petroleum Corporation also signed a cooperation agreement with British Petroleum (BP) Company on fueling ships.As part of the activities held during the EGYPS 2020, two deals were signed between Egypt’s Petrojet and Italy’s Saipem company for implementing projects in Libya and offering advanced training programs for Egyptian cadres.A contract was signed with Germany’s Siempelkamp to establish a project for producing medium-density fiberboard (MDF) panels at investments that are worth about 210 million euros.A consortium of Egyptian companies including the Egyptian Natural Gas Holding Company (EGAS), the Egyptian International Gas Technology (Gastec), and the Natural Gas Vehicles Company (CAR GAS) signed two deals with the Italian Landi Renzo company for locally assembling of the natural gas supply stations and the components needed for converting vehicles to run on natural gas in Egypt.
Source:Libya Today
February 13, 2020 14:26 UTC
Flights suspended at Mitiga airport due to shells landing
Flights suspended at Mitiga airport due to shells landingBy Sami Zaptia. London, 13 February 2020:Flights have been suspended this lunchtime as Mitiga airport suffered another hit today. No casualties or damage has been reported. The Mitiga hit comes in spite of yesterday’s UN Security Council resolution calling for a ceasefire and adoption of Berlin agreements.
Source:Libya Today
February 13, 2020 14:10 UTC
Libya's CBL demands UN Secretary-General to review and correct a UN report
The Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Saddek Elkaber addressed a letter to the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, in response to a UN report, in which it accused Libya's CBL of lack of transparency, regarding who has the right to obtain the taxable price against the official price. "The CBL is not authorized to grant an exception in obtaining people the taxable price against the official price," the letter reads, noting that this exception is confined solely to the PC. He also denied selling foreign exchange to common people at the official price, which is not subject to the fee, noting that this excludes the allocations for heads of families upon the PC decree. "The CBL is committed to publishing a monthly statement with respect to revenues and expenses, including revenues of the fees levied on foreign exchange," the CBL head added. Elkaber concluded his letter by expressing hope that the report would be reviewed and corrected, confirming his readiness to answer all inquiries.
Source:Libya Observer
February 13, 2020 12:22 UTC
Current Affairs 2020:Cheapest Metro in Kolkata, Lasting Ceasefire Resolution- Top events of Feb 13 for exams
Current Affairs 2020: Top events of February 13 for exams | Photo Credit: Representative ImageWith the competitive examination season commencing the candidates need to refine their study pattern. This section is here to ease your efforts and update you only with the events that require your attention for competitive exams. World Radio Day todayFebruary 13 is celebrated as the World Radio day every year. School Health Ambassador Initiative launched by Central GovernmentThe central government has launched the School Health Ambassador Initiative on February 12, 2020. Lasting Ceasefire Resolution for LibyaSecurity Council adopted a resolution calling for a lasting ceasefire between the warring sides in conflict-stricken Libya today.
Source:Libya Today
February 13, 2020 12:09 UTC
Explanation of U.S. vote on the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya Ceasefire
Explanation of U.S. vote on the UN Security Council Resolution on Libya CeasefireBy Sami Zaptia. Permanent Representative to the UN offered a rational for the U.S. vote on the Security Council Resolution on Libya yesterday. The statement talked about an immediate ceasefire, stopping the use of mercenaries, respecting the arms embargo and ending the oil blockade. ‘‘First off, I’d like to thank the United Kingdom as penholder for proposing this draft resolution that was just adopted. The United States also reiterates its call for de-escalation and the immediate withdrawal of all foreign forces, including foreign mercenaries and fighters.
Source:Libya Today
February 13, 2020 11:37 UTC
Libya reverses ban on foreign-origin goods from Tunisia
The Libyan and Tunisian authorities agreed to permit entry of some goods and commodities of foreign origin from Tunisia to Libya through the joint land outlets after it was banned for nearly two years. This agreement came during a meeting held on Tuesday in Tunisia between officials from the ministry of economy and customs authority of both sides. The two sides emphasized overcoming difficulties and to resolve the obstacles hindering the flow of goods between the two countries, in the framework of joint trade cooperation, according to the information office of Libya's ministry of economy.
Source:Libya Observer
February 13, 2020 10:41 UTC