Libyan Chief of General Staff reviews security track with UNSMIL
The Chief of the General Staff of the Libyan Army, Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush, has met with the head of Security Sector Reform at the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to discuss ways to support the security track. The meeting addressed UN and international efforts aimed at unifying the military institution and enhancing border security. Al-Namroush reaffirmed his full support for these efforts and his commitment to continued cooperation to unify the army, within the framework of the security track and UN-sponsored dialogue initiatives.
Source:Libya Observer
January 21, 2026 17:38 UTC
Libyan Export Development Authority inaugurates the Unified Export Window at the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia
The Chairman of the Libyan Export Development Authority (LEDA), Mohamed Al-Hangari, inaugurated the Unified Export Window at the Ras Ajdir border crossing with Tunisia today. During the inauguration ceremony a presentation on the Single Window Export System was made. This included the steps for submitting export applications by Libyan exporting companies registered in LEDAs’ Exporters Registry, the data processing mechanisms, and the completion of export procedures through the Ras Ajdir border crossing into Tunisia. LEDA said the opening and commencement of operations of the Ras Ajdir Unified Export Window represents a significant step for LEDA in developing and regulating local exports. Unified Services Window system for exports to be launched ‘‘to create real export statistics and data’’: LEDA
Source:Libya Today
January 21, 2026 16:02 UTC
Libya, Egypt discuss expanding strategic partnership
Oil and Gas Minister, Khalifa Abdulsadek has held talks with Egypt’s chargé d’affaires on expanding strategic cooperation between the two countries. Abdulsadek met Egypt’s chargé d’affaires in Libya, Tamer El-Hefny, in Tripoli on Tuesday. According to Libya’s official government platform, the meeting focused on strengthening cooperation in energy and investment, as well as developing bilateral economic relations. Both sides stressed the importance of broadening the strategic partnership between Libya and Egypt to serve shared interests and support sustainable cooperation, reaffirming their commitment to coordination in sectors of mutual interest.
Source:Libya Observer
January 21, 2026 14:19 UTC
Public Prosecution flags irregularities in oil products and import system
The Attorney General, Siddiq Al-Sour, held a high-level meeting on Tuesday with senior state officials to review findings by the public prosecution pointing to irregularities in the management and marketing of petroleum derivatives, and failures to adequately protect the public interest. Officials also discussed gaps in import systems that authorities say have been exploited for personal gain through foreign currency trading on the parallel market. Participants reviewed proposed judicial and administrative measures aimed at tightening import controls, addressing deficiencies in the petroleum derivatives sector, and supporting investigations into economic and financial crimes and corruption in both the public and private sectors. The statement added that officials examined weaknesses in import management systems, efforts to curb the smuggling of foreign currency under the pretext of imports, and the positive outcomes of using public tenders to import fuel. The meeting concluded with a discussion of obstacles affecting the orderly management of foreign currency and proposals to address them.
Source:Libya Observer
January 21, 2026 12:07 UTC
Flooding in Tunisia kills four; Algeria, Libya report severe weather impacts
A fisherman secures his small fishing boat in La Goulette, near the capital Tunis, on January 20, 2026. A man carries a bag of bread as he wades through floodwaters in La Goulette, near the capital Tunis, on January 20, 2026. A civil protection officer helps a resident pass through floodwaters in La Goulette, near the capital Tunis, on January 20, 2026. Trains are blocked by floodwaters in La Goulette, near the capital Tunis, on January 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)Algeria and Libya also affectedIn neighboring Algeria, massive downpours and floods have hit several regions.
Source:Libya Today
January 21, 2026 08:37 UTC
Libyan national team drops in FIFA rankings
Libya has slipped one place in the FIFA rankings for January, coming in at 112th worldwide, 25th in Africa, and 15th among Arab teams. Libya collected 1,183.06 points, the same total as in the December ranking, as they have not played any friendly or official matches since last November, following their failure in the African qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup. Spain maintained its lead at the top of the global rankings, followed by Argentina, France, England, Brazil, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Morocco, while Germany came tenth. Cameroon recorded the biggest jump, climbing 12 places to 45th, while Morocco, runners-up of the Africa Cup of Nations recently hosted at home, achieved their best-ever ranking. Meanwhile, Libyan team’s highest-ever ranking was 36th worldwide, achieved in September 2012, while its lowest ranking came in July 1997, when it dropped to 187th.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 22:54 UTC
Fire at a commercial complex in Benghazi
Benghazi – A fire broke out today, Tuesday. It was at a commercial complex on Airport Road in Benghazi. She told the Libyan News Agency that ambulance and emergency teams responded immediately. This included medical teams and ambulance supplies. She added that emergency medical teams continue their field duties.
Source:Libya Today
January 20, 2026 22:04 UTC
HNEC sets February 7 date for municipal elections in four municipalities
The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) announced that municipal council elections in the municipalities of Tajoura, Al-Jadida, Sayyad, and Al-Hishan will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2026. In a statement issued on Monday, the HNEC stated that polling will take place from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, in accordance with the law governing municipal council elections.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 20:49 UTC
Parallel government imposes full curfew until weather conditions stabilize
The Ministry of Interior that is affiliated with the parallel government in eastern Libya has decided to impose a complete curfew until the unstable weather conditions subside. The areas of Al-Marj and Al-Abyar have experienced similar damage to trees so far, due to strong winds. At the same time, the head of the parallel government issued a decision to form an Emergency Committee tasked with taking measures regarding the expected weather conditions in southern and eastern Libya. This came following reports from the National Center of Meteorology about a wave of bad weather starting from Sunday until Tuesday, and the possibility of rising sea levels, strong winds, and zero visibility. The committee announced the suspension of flights at airports located in the southern and eastern regions until the desert low-pressure system passes.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 20:49 UTC
President of the National Oil Corporation discusses with Canada’s Ambassador the conditions of Canadian companies currently operating in the Libyan oil and gas sector
Tripoli – Masoud Suleiman, Chairman of the National Oil Corporation, met today with Alison Stewart. Stewart is the Canadian Ambassador to Libya. They discussed the status of Canadian companies operating in Libya’s oil and gas sector. This support targets various fields within the oil and gas sector. Their goal is to make Libya an attractive environment for investment and cooperation.
Source:Libya Today
January 20, 2026 19:42 UTC
NOC Chairman meets Canadian Ambassador
The Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Masoud Suleiman, met on Tuesday with Canada’s Ambassador to Libya, Allison Stewart, to review the status of Canadian companies operating in Libya’s oil and gas sector and their potential involvement in future development and investment projects. According to Suleiman’s Facebook post, the meeting emphasized the importance of exchanging technical and developmental expertise and supporting the training and qualification of national talent across various fields within the oil and gas sector. He added that the meeting reflects the shared commitment of both sides to make Libya an attractive environment for investment and cooperation.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 19:26 UTC
Ministry of Foreign Affairs reviews future cooperation with newly appointed EUBAM Head
The Director of the European Affairs Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abu Bakr Al-Tawil, has met with Fredrik Petersen, the newly appointed Head of the EU Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM). During the meeting, Al-Tawil congratulated Petersen on his appointment and discussed the procedures required for his official accreditation as Head of the Mission, taking into account his prior experience as Deputy Head. Al-Tawil assured Petersen of the department’s full support and commitment to addressing any potential challenges, while wishing him success in his new role. The two sides also exchanged views on future cooperation between the European Affairs Department and EUBAM, aiming to strengthen joint coordination and advance national priorities.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 19:26 UTC
Two arrested in gang smuggling migrants to Europe from Al-Khoms beaches
The Public Prosecutor’s Office has ordered the detention of two members of a gang involved in smuggling migrants to Europe and is pursuing the remaining members. According to the Prosecutor’s statement, the gang specialized in building boats to carry out smuggling operations from Celine beaches in Al-Khoms. Earlier, the Prosecutor had detained a foreign national linked to the gang, who organized irregular sea migration, and ordered the arrest of other members after inspections uncovered boats under construction.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 19:26 UTC
85 MPs say decision to impose taxes on certain goods hasn't come from the HoR presidency
Eighty-five members of the House of Representatives (HoR) have confirmed that what has been circulated regarding a decision to impose taxes on certain goods is merely a draft proposal submitted for discussion, and has not been officially issued by the HoR Presidency to date. The members accused “unknown parties” of spreading the draft, which was submitted by the head of the HoR's Economy Committee (Badr Al-Nahib), with the aim of distorting the image of the HoR and causing confusion in the country. The statement further emphasized that the correspondence issued by the Parliament’s Economy Committee is neither enforceable nor binding, does not represent a decision issued by the House of Representatives, and carries no legislative or legal effect. It held the Governor of the Central Bank, Naji Issa, fully legally responsible for any action taken on the basis of that correspondence. The letter claimed that the parliament had approved a decision regulating production and consumption taxes, in addition to fees on certain capital goods and foreign currency sales, with implementation set to begin on January 18.
Source:Libya Observer
January 20, 2026 16:35 UTC
Ransom collected by kidnapping Bangladeshi expatriate in Libya ; gang member held in Beanibazar
Beanibazar (Sylhet.) CorrespondentThe Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) has arrested a member of a gang operating in Sylhet in connection with a case involving the kidnapping of a Bangladeshi expatriate in Libya and the collection of ransom money. On Tuesday, the Media Officer of RAB-9 Sylhet confirmed that the individual was brought under the law in connection with the case. During his stay abroad, he became acquainted with a person named Abubakkar, and a close relationship developed between them. Following the filing of the case, RAB-9 launched a shadow investigation and intensified intelligence activities to bring the accused under the law.
Source:Libya Today
January 20, 2026 16:15 UTC