Libyan authorities free over 200 migrants from ‘secret prison’
BENGHAZI — Libya’s security authorities have freed more than 200 migrants from what they described as a secret prison in the town of Kufra in the southeast of the country after they were held captive in inhuman conditions, two security sources from the city told Reuters on Sunday. The security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the security authorities had found an underground prison, nearly three meters deep, which the sources said was run by a Libyan human trafficker. AFP via Getty Images“Some of the freed migrants were held captive up to two years in the underground cells,” this source said. The freed migrants are from sub-Saharan Africa, mainly from Somalia and Eritrea, including women and children, the sources said. The oil-based Libyan economy is also a draw for impoverished migrants seeking work, but security throughout the sprawling country is poor, leaving migrants vulnerable to abuses.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 20:43 UTC
Libya devalues dinar by nearly 15 pct as oil revenues slide
TRIPOLI, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Libya's central bank devalued the dinar by 14.7 percent against the International Monetary Fund's (IMF's) Special Drawing Rights (SDR) on Sunday, citing falling oil revenues and growing economic pressures. The bank said the decision was made during its first board meeting of 2026 on Wednesday, following recommendations from the Monetary Policy Committee. After the devaluation, the exchange rate stands at 0.1150 SDR per dinar, down from 0.1348. Dbeibah said the expansion would help make Libya a regional logistics hub while modernizing infrastructure and generating long-term revenue from state assets. Misurata, on Libya's northwestern Mediterranean coast, is one of the country's main commercial centers and a key gateway for trade with Africa, officials said.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 20:14 UTC
Egypt, Greece reaffirm support for Libyan political process
Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdel-Aty has discussed the latest developments in Libya with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, reiterating Egypt's firm stance calling for the preservation of Libya's unity and stability and rejecting any foreign interference. The Egyptian minister stressed to his Greek counterpart the importance of reaching a comprehensive Libyan-led solution that fulfills the aspirations of the Libyan people and preserves their sovereignty. He emphasized the need to continue efforts to advance the political process in Libya, leading to simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible, and the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
Source:Libya Observer
January 18, 2026 18:04 UTC
99 illegal migrants rescued off Zliten coast
The General Administration of Coastal Security announced on Sunday the rescue of 99 illegal migrants of various nationalities after receiving a distress call from a boat off the coast of Zliten. In a statement, it said that upon receiving the distress call, instructions were issued for the patrol boat "P54," of Al-Khums branch, and the patrol boat "1204," of the Misrata branch, to proceed to the available coordinates. The boat was towed to the port of Al-Khums, and the 99 migrants of various nationalities were rescued and handed over to the Illegal Immigration Agency in eastern Tripoli, which has jurisdiction over such matters.
Source:Libya Observer
January 18, 2026 18:04 UTC
Libya's security authorities free more than 200 migrants from 'secret prison', two security sources say
BENGHAZI, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Libya's security authorities have freed more than 200 migrants from what they described as a secret prison in the town of Kufra in the southeast of the country after they were held captive in inhuman conditions, two security sources from the city told Reuters on Sunday. The security sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that the security authorities had found an underground prison, nearly three meters deep, which the sources said was run by a Libyan human trafficker. "Some of the freed migrants were held captive up to two years in the underground cells," this source said. "The operation resulted in a raid on a secret prison within the city, where several inhumane underground detention cells were uncovered," one of the sources added. The oil-based Libyan economy is also a draw for impoverished migrants seeking work, but security throughout the sprawling country is poor, leaving migrants vulnerable to abuses.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 17:44 UTC
Italy and Libya Sign Landmark Agreements to Strengthen Health and Energy Sectors
The landmark partnership establishes a robust framework for modernizing Libya's health and energy sectors through the deployment of Italian expertise, ambitious capacity building initiatives, and sustainable cooperation mechanisms designed to create lasting institutional transformation. Comprehensive Multi-Sector Development InitiativeThe comprehensive agreements address two fundamental pillars of national infrastructure: advanced healthcare delivery systems and modernized energy sector development. The energy sector component focuses on infrastructure rehabilitation, renewable energy integration, and capacity building to support Libya's long-term energy independence and sustainability goals. "We, San Donato Group and GKSD, signed practical agreements with Libya Reconstruction and Development Fund, aimed at supporting and boosting the health and energy sectors, focusing on employing Italian expertise, building capacity, and achieving effective and sustainable cooperation." Implementation activities will commence in February 2026, with the first technical teams expected to arrive in Libya by early March.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 17:30 UTC
National Identity Disaster: Will the State Act to Toughen Penalties?
The Attorney General’s Office continues to expose national ID number forgery cases. One person sells the national ID number of their deceased son. Some sell a national ID number for ten thousand dinars. Citizens and observers believe national ID forgery cannot be contained by administrative measures or arrest reports alone. It was announced that an Egyptian national learned of an unused national ID number.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 15:20 UTC
Qatari, Italian and Swiss US$ 2.7 billion investment in Misrata Free Zone to increase its capacity to 4 million containers annually
Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba, announced today the launch one of the largest maritime infrastructure projects in Libya’s history, through the signing of a strategic partnership to develop and expand the Misrata Free Zone port terminal. Aldabaiba said the project, with investments reaching US$ 2.7 billion, involves Qatari, Italian, and Swiss companies, most notably MSC, the world’s largest shipping company, and aims to increase the terminal’s capacity to 4 million containers annually. Continuing, he said the project not only enhances Libya’s position among the region’s largest ports in terms of size and capacity, but it also relies on direct foreign investment within a comprehensive international partnership. This partnership will handle development and operation according to clear arrangements, ensuring the project’s implementation without placing additional burdens on the state budget. It reflects our commitment to attracting productive external financing to stimulate the economy, modernize infrastructure, and transform state assets into platforms for sustainable returns.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 14:53 UTC
CBL devalues LD by 14.7% from approximately LD 5.43/dollar to about LD 6.36/dollar
The Central Bank of Libya announced today that it has devalued the Libyan dinar by 14.7 percent from approximately LD 5.43 to LD 6.36 per US$. The CBL had last devalued the Libyan dinar by 13.3 percent to LD 5.56/dollar on 6 April 2025. It said today’s devaluation against the Special Drawing Rights (SDR) was based on the recommendations of the Monetary Policy Committee. As a result, each Libyan dinar will now be equivalent to 0.1150 SDRs instead of 0.1348 SDRs. CBL Governor Issa justifies Libyan dinar devaluation – blames both governments for uncontrolled spending and absence of effective, targeted macroeconomic policies
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 14:53 UTC
Benghazi schools closed for two days due to severe weather warnings
Authorities in Benghazi have announced the suspension of classes at all public and private schools on Monday and Tuesday because of adverse weather conditions. The Benghazi Education Authority said the decision was taken following warnings issued by the National Meteorological Center and the parallel government, citing concerns for the safety of students and teaching staff. The meteorological centre has warned that parts of north-eastern Libya, as well as some areas in the south-west, are expected to be affected by a desert low-pressure system. The conditions are forecast to bring strong winds, dust and sand, leading to significantly reduced visibility, with near-zero visibility possible in some locations.
Source:Libya Observer
January 18, 2026 12:50 UTC
Detention of an official from the Agency for the Administration of Historic Cities in Benghazi on corruption charges
Benghazi – The Anti-Corruption Prosecution ordered the detention of a director. This director heads the Historic Cities Management Authority branch in the municipality. The order falls under the jurisdiction of the Benghazi Court of Appeal. This area is part of the vegetable market in Benghazi municipality. Therefore, the investigative authority ordered the accused’s precautionary detention.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 10:31 UTC
Tripoli to host exhibition celebrating Libyan cultural heritage
An art exhibition celebrating Libya’s cultural heritage is set to open in Tripoli’s Old City later this month. Bayt Nuweiji for Culture will host the exhibition, titled “Creative Gene for Libyan Heritage,” on 31 January. The showcase aims to present traditional Libyan heritage through contemporary artistic approaches. The exhibition will feature a range of works, including hand-painted heritage artworks, digital images documenting Libyan cities, and examples of traditional handicrafts reflecting the country’s folk traditions. Organisers say the event seeks to bridge memory and innovation, offering visitors a modern interpretation of Libya’s rich cultural legacy.
Source:Libya Observer
January 18, 2026 10:27 UTC
Libya: MSC and Al Maha sign container terminal agreement in Misurata, Tajani present
The Misrata Free Zone is making a significant leap in its consolidation as Libya's main logistics hub and a link between the Mediterranean and Africa. A high-profile institutional presence is expected in Misrata for the occasion: the Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. Antonio Tajani; the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; and the Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity Abdulhamid Dabaiba. MSC is expected to participate in Diego Aponte, president of the group, a key figure in global container shipping. The agreement between the Misrata Free Zone and TIL-MSC strengthens the city's position as a hub connecting Europe, the Mediterranean, and Africa.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 09:10 UTC
ZAWYA-PRESSR: Italy and Libya sign landmark agreements to strengthen health and energy sectors
BENGHAZI, Libya / ROME, Italy — In a key advancement for Italy-Libya bilateral relations, comprehensive agreements were formally signed today in Benghazi between prominent Italian partners San Donato Group, GKSD, and the Libya Reconstruction and Development Fund. Comprehensive Multi-Sector Development InitiativeThe comprehensive agreements address two fundamental pillars of national infrastructure: advanced healthcare delivery systems and modernized energy sector development. The energy sector component focuses on infrastructure rehabilitation, renewable energy integration, and capacity building to support Libya's long-term energy independence and sustainability goals. "We, San Donato Group and GKSD, signed practical agreements with Libya Reconstruction and Development Fund, aimed at supporting and boosting the health and energy sectors, focusing on employing Italian expertise, building capacity, and achieving effective and sustainable cooperation." Libya Reconstruction and Development Fund serves as the primary national coordinating body for reconstruction projects, working to rebuild Libya's infrastructure, strengthen institutions, and facilitate international partnerships that support the country's long-term development goals.
Source:Libya Today
January 18, 2026 07:57 UTC
Dust-raising winds expected in the Northeast on Monday and Tuesday
This is expected to stir up dust and sand, leading to reduced horizontal visibility and, in some areas, near-total loss of visibility. These conditions are expected to cause dense dust and sand, with direct impacts on visibility. The parallel government warned of potential impacts on traffic movement within cities and on highways due to reduced or completely absent visibility during periods of strong winds, in addition to possible disruption to maritime activities during peak times. It urged the public to exercise maximum caution while traveling and to adhere to instructions issued by the relevant authorities. The National Center of Meteorology stressed the need for extra care when driving, especially during strong wind gusts.
Source:Libya Observer
January 17, 2026 20:54 UTC