Peace in Libya Will Require More Than Elections
This time last year, the Libyan capital was caught up in a year-old military campaign that had further internationalized the country’s dangerous divisions. This in turn paved the way to the formation of Libya’s first unified government since the country slid into civil war in 2014. The new Government of National Unity, or GNU, offers hope that oil-rich Libya can move on from seven years of bloody power struggles. It took office in mid-March, and has already made history with the inclusion of the country’s first female foreign minister and justice minister. However, the underlying military-political and economic tensions that fueled the civil war persist and could yet derail what remains a fragile reunification process.
Source:Libya Today
May 03, 2021 12:34 UTC
New name for Muslim Brotherhood in Libya
The Muslim Brotherhood organization in Libya has changed its name to the "Revival and Renewal Association", the group said in a statement on Sunday. The statement indicated that the decision came after rounds of dialogue and research, in which members of the group organized various workshops, university seminars, and exceptional conferences. "The group had concluded that it is time for renewal and diligence in response to the nation's needs and to meet the requirements of this sensitive phase," the organization said, stressing it would work with all "honest and fair people" to build and revive the nation. It added that its goal is to revive the call to adhere to the moderate approach and teachings of Islam, in a new way inspired by the fundamentals and constants of Islam, taking advantage of every wisdom to ensure a deep understanding of reality and foresight for the future, according to the statement. The group pledged that its new body would work in various fields of public work to fulfill its mission in Libyan society.
Source:Libya Observer
May 03, 2021 12:14 UTC
Turkish officials pay unannounced visit to Libya to discuss ties
Turkey's Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, Director of National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Hakan Fidan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Yaşar Güler on Monday paid an unannounced visit to Libya's capital Tripoli, Daily Sabah reports. During the visit, bilateral and regional issues are expected to be discussed. During a Libyan delegation's visit to Turkey last month, the two countries reiterated their commitment to enhancing bilateral ties and the maritime deal while President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan underlined that Ankara prioritizes Libya's sovereignty, territorial integrity and political unity. Turkey and Libya also agreed to further their cooperation in multiple areas over a series of meetings, including in the fields of oil and natural gas. The two countries also signed a military cooperation accord.
Source:Libya Today
May 03, 2021 08:37 UTC
Justice Minister vows to end illegal imprisonment
Justice Minister Halima Abdul-Rahman has confirmed that steps would be taken to end illegal imprisonment, stressing that the human rights issue remains a top priority for her ministry. During her meeting with the UN envoy to Libya Jan Kubis in Tripoli on Sunday, the justice minister reiterated the importance of the National Reconciliation Commission to support the transitional justice and national reconciliation path. "Such step would achieve this national demand," the minister said. Meanwhile, the UN envoy said he was pleased to visit the ministry and meet the first Libyan woman to fill this position. He expressed his desire to coordinate action in many areas, especially in human rights issues, ending illegal detention, and activating transitional justice and national reconciliation path, as well as the coordination of efforts to make the elections a success at the end of this year.
Source:Libya Observer
May 03, 2021 08:37 UTC
HoR receives GNU amended general budget
Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Aqeelah Saleh received Sunday the amended general budget proposed by the Government of National Unity (GNU) after it was turned down in a previous session last month. In his office in Al-Qubbah town east of the country, Saleh received a delegation of the GNU ministers, which included ministers of interior, Foreign Affairs, and minister of Planning, besides Chairman of the Board of Directors of the General electricity company. The MPs voted in a session two weeks ago to return the budget bill to the government for amendment per the recommendations of the HoR, saying it was "a large sum" given the critical and unstable conditions in the country.
Source:Libya Observer
May 03, 2021 05:37 UTC
‘Europe or death’: West Africans risk all to leave Tunisia
The price of the ticket — plus a fine for staying three years illegally in Tunisia — costs more than a crossing to Europe. The number risking the dangerous sea crossing from Tunisia is rising and for the first time the majority on the boats are not Tunisians. So far this year at least 453 migrants have died trying to reach Europe from North Africa, the International Organization for Migration says. “For them it is Europe or death!”Coulibaly believes there are some 20,000 people from sub-Saharan nations in Tunisia, nearly two-thirds from Ivory Coast. Deals between Italy and Libya — another key jumping off point for Europe — have likewise “complicated departures”, with more migrants trying to leave from Tunisia, he said.
Source:Libya Today
May 03, 2021 04:30 UTC
Sanalla receives Kubis to discuss the impact of budgeting issues and the conditions of workers in the oil industry
Sanalla receives Kubis to discuss the impact of budgeting issues and the conditions of workers in the oil industryMustafa Sanalla, Chairman of the National Oil Corporation’s (NOC) Board of Directors, met with Jan Kubis, the UN Secretary-Special General’s Envoy for Libya, and his delegation today at the NOC’s headquarters in Tripoli. Sanalla briefed Kubis on the problems facing the oil sector in light of the disruption of budgets and their effect on the development of operations in the field and the challenging conditions faced by workers in the industry at all levels due to the lack of budgets, during the meeting. The UN Envoy, for his part, emphasized the importance of continuing oil production operations and creating all necessary conditions for the sector to ensure that production continues, and the UN Support Mission in Libya will make every effort to support the National Oil Corporation and the State of Libya’s stability. The NOC chairman, for his part, expressed gratitude to the United Nations Mission in Libya for the visit and praised the Mission’s statement from April regarding the UN’s focus on the National Oil Corporation’s technical and non-political position.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 23:59 UTC
Over 600 Europe-bound migrants returned to Libya: Navy
More than 600 migrants hoping to reach Europe from Libya have been stopped since Friday, the navy said, as the International Organization for Migration warned Libya was "not a safe port". International agencies have repeatedly denounced the return to Libya of migrants intercepted at sea, due to the chaotic situation in the country and poor conditions in detention centres. "Today, 172 migrants, including women and children, were returned to Libya by the coast guard," it said. "Our teams provided emergency assistance to more than 600 migrants intercepted over the past 48 hours, it added. Libya is a major route for migrants trying to reach Europe via the Mediterranean, and traffickers have thrived in the lawlessness that followed the 2011 overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 18:22 UTC
Haftar meets UN envoy, PC deputy in Al-Rajma
Khalifa Haftar met Saturday with the UN envoy to Libya, Jan Kubis, in the presence of the Deputy Head of the Presidential Council, Mossa Al-Koni, at Haftar's forces command headquarters in Al-Rajma, eastern Benghazi. Haftar's media office didn't say much about the meeting, while Al-Koni tweeted that his meeting with Haftar and Kubis was part of the efforts to unify state institutions, especially military ones, adding that this effort started with the meeting of armed forces' commanders in Tripoli. Al-Koni also said on Twitter that the meeting also aimed at unity to allow Libyans to face challenges on the southern borders after the recent unrest in Chad.
Source:Libya Observer
May 02, 2021 17:46 UTC
e-payments transactions top LD 1.1 bn in Q1 of 2021 – but cash is still king in Libya
e-payments transactions top LD 1.1 bn in Q1 of 2021 – but cash is still king in LibyaBy Sami Zaptia. London, 2 May 2021:Total transactions made using e-payments in Libya were LD 1.180 billion in the first quarter of 2021, a top Central Bank of Libya source confirmed to Libya Herald today. Asked to explain the low take up of e-payments and transactions by Libyans, Musbah Akkari. former chairman of Jumhuriya bank, head of CBL Reserves Department and currently member of the Libyan Dinar Exchange Rate Adjustment Committee, said it is partly cultural. Cash is kingLibyans prefer the use of cash.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 13:36 UTC
Over 600 Europe-bound migrants returned to Libya: navy
Journalists recorded the crackdown despite an Interior Ministry order on Friday banning the filming of security forces while they are on duty. Public institutions and public officials have no such protection,” said Gokhan Ahi, a lawyer specializing in technology and IT law. “This ban is baseless, because the acts of the police forces against demonstrators don’t involve their privacy. “Public officials cannot enjoy privacy for the acts they commit in public places. Recording such acts normally helps authorities identify unlawful behavior, and provides strong evidence and a de facto monitoring mechanism for judicial authorities, especially in cases of torture and mistreatment.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 12:43 UTC
Libya's Presidential Council vice holds meeting with Hafter, UN envoy
Commander of the Libyan National Army, Marshal Khalifa Haftar on Thursday April 26, after arriving in Benghazi - YouTubeCAIRO - 2 May 2020: Vice President of Libya's Presidential Council Musa al-Kon said his meeting with Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar and United Nationa (UN) Secretary General Special Envoy to Libya Jan Kubis is part of efforts meant to rally ranks among the country's institutions. Alwasat News quoted a statement by the LNA media bureau Sunday highlighting the importance of the meeting that came as part of efforts to face up to all challenges besetting Libya, especially threats to the southern borders. The statement reiterated the importance of protecting Libya's unity and sovereignty.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 12:22 UTC
![[WATCH] Safety of localities must remain a priority when dealing with migration – Bernard Grech](http://cdn.maltatoday.com.mt/ui_frontend/thumbnail/684/400/8a7d3bac-4297-46ca-ad15-78239ac5a2bb.jpeg)
[WATCH] Safety of localities must remain a priority when dealing with migration – Bernard Grech
The Opposition leader Bernard Grech took a cautious approach when asked on the issue of migration on Sunday. “While the country must observe international regulation, the safety and security of our localities must not be threatened,” he said. Grech said migration is a delicate subject and should be addressed holistically. On mental health, Grech said the PN will be unveiling a number of proposals on the sector, and looks to address issues in a proactive manner. “This is not a sector which is addressed when the problem arises, but with a holistic and long-term plan,” he said.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 10:36 UTC
UNICEF: 125 children rescued off the Libyan coast
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) reported that Libyan authorities rescued 125 children en route to Europe by boat off the Libyan coast, confirming that most were placed in detention centers. There were 114 unaccompanied minors among the rescued children from the hazardous sea route to Europe, according to UNICEF “The majority of those rescued were sent to overcrowded detention centers in Libya, where they were kept in deplorable conditions with minimal or no access to water or sanitation. Today, almost 1,100 children are housed in these institutions.”“The Mediterranean Sea remains one of the deadliest and most dangerous migration routes in the world,” UNICEF said, urging Libyan authorities to free all children and end migrant detention. According to the UN, at least 350 people, including children and women, have drowned or vanished in the Mediterranean while attempting to leave Libya and reach European shores since the beginning of this year. Last week, 130 migrants headed for Europe were lost in the Mediterranean off the coast of Libya in the worst boating accident of the year.
Source:Libya Today
May 02, 2021 08:50 UTC
Oil vessel hits Brega company's quay at Misrata port
The Head of Sea Transportation and Ports Authority, Omar Al-Jawashi, said oil vessel "Erena" hit the wharf of the Brega oil company at Misrata port, causing a massive damage. The media office of the Transportation Ministry said the oil tanker, which flew the Liberian flag, was seized at quay No.06 and its papers were confiscated, adding that measures in coordination with Brega company and free zone authorities had been initiated to receive compensation after contacting the protection club. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation, Mustafa Sanallah, and the CEO of Brega company visited the free zone in Misrata to see the damage caused by the oil vessel.
Source:Libya Observer
May 01, 2021 18:55 UTC