340 illegal migrants rescued in Libya – The Manila Times
TRIPOLI: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday (Saturday in Manila) said that some 340 illegal migrants have been rescued off the coast of Libya. “Some 340 refugees and migrants have been returned today to Tripoli by Libyan Coast Guard,” UNHCR tweeted. “UNHCR and IRC (International Rescue Committee) provided urgent medical and humanitarian assistance to all survivors before being taken to detention,” UNHCR said.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 16:07 UTC
Trade unions demand representation in legislation, commend return of Egyptian labor to Libya
CAIRO – 1 May 202: The General Federation of Egyptian Trade Unions prized in a Saturday statement Egypt’s handling of the Liby issue and deciding to allow Egyptian workers to return to Libya. On Labor Day, the federation said it is coordinating with its counterpart in Liby to resolve issues faced by Egyptian workers there. The statement also demanded that representatives of workers participate in outlying labor legislations, as some laws need review to create a balanced legislative environment between the government, businessmen and workers. The statement emphasized fair wages, healthcare and social security. It also expressed its support to the government in establishing meg projects that offer job opportunities and increase production.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 15:31 UTC
Egypt works on enhancing electrical interconnection projects with countries: Minister
CAIRO – 1 May 2021: Egypt is working strongly towards enhancing electrical interconnection projects with other countries, for the many benefits of such projects and its positive impact on different sectors, according to Minister of Electricity Mohamed Shaker. Shaker explained that electrical interconnection projects between countries have many benefits including technical, economic, environmental, social, political, and legal. He further added that such projects play an important role in promoting energy security, and increasing the use of renewable energy on the medium and long terms. Shaker said that the electrical connection between the continents of Africa and Europe will serve to absorb the huge electrical energies that will be produced from renewable energy sources in Africa. “Therefore, Egypt is keen to support the efforts of African countries to access clean energy from renewable sources, especially that Africa is one of the many untapped renewable energy sources, and Egypt is expected to be one of the main hubs for the transfer of clean electrical energy to Europe,” he added.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 15:01 UTC
Over 800 migrants rescued at sea head to Italy
Sea-Watch 4 has requested a port to disembark the migrants from both Italy and Malta. Last month, SOS Mediterranean personnel and a merchant ship spotted several bodies from a shipwrecked dinghy, believed to have been carrying 130 migrants. People on the boat had appealed for help in the waters off Libya, but no coast guard vessels from Libya, Italy or Malta came to their aid, the group said. Humanitarian groups have been urging European Union nations to resume the deployment of military vessels on rescue patrols in the Mediterranean. After hundreds of thousands of rescued migrants, many of them ineligible for asylum, were brought to Italy by ships from the coast guard, navy, border police and other nations, large-scale rescue operations in the sea north of Libya were ended.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 11:03 UTC
Libyan-Egyptian cooperation to increase investment opportunities between the two countries
Libyan-Egyptian cooperation to increase investment opportunities between the two countriesBy Sami Zaptia. London, 30 April 2021:Ali Mahmoud Hassan, Chairman of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), Libya’s Sovereign Wealth Fund met Wednesday Mohamed Abdel Wahab, CEO of Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) to discuss investment opportunities in the two countries. The LIA is Libya’s Sovereign Wealth Fund managing about $ 67 billion through 550 investment companies spread across three continents. First step to implementation of signed agreementsGAFI CEO Abdel-Wahab said that the meeting is the first step in the actual implementation of agreements to enhance cooperation between the two countries, as joint investment opportunities between the Libyan Investment Authority and Egyptian partners were discussed, for what is in the interest of the two countries’ economies, and an agreement was made to implement joint Egyptian-Libyan investment projects in the targeted sectors. Integrated vision of investment opportunities in EgyptAbdel-Wahab presented the Libyan side with an integrated vision of investment opportunities in major national projects, especially in the new administrative capital and the new city of El Alamein, explaining to the Libyan side the need to diversify the Libyan investment portfolio in Egypt, to benefit from the growth of various economic sectors.
Source:Libya Herald
May 01, 2021 10:52 UTC
Sant abstains on Navalny resolution: ‘EU should be less confrontational with Russia’
Former Labour Prime Minister Alfred Sant has abstained on a European Parliament resolution on Russia, calling on the EU and Russia to be less confrontational and more objective. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose sentencing is politically motivated and runs counter to Russia’s international human rights obligations. Notwithstanding his abstention, Alfred Sant condemned without any reservations the treatment being given across the line to opposition leader Alexei Navalny. However, the resolution repeats and amplifies accusations that are part of a long exchange game between Russia and its critics. The objectivity and transparency of these claims are doubtful,” Alfred Sant said.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 06:37 UTC
Nearly 340 illegal migrants rescued off Libyan coast: UNHCR
Tripoli, May 1The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on Friday said that some 340 illegal migrants have been rescued off the coast of Libya. "Some 340 refugees and migrants have been returned today to Tripoli by Libyan Coast Guard," UNHCR tweeted. "UNHCR and IRC (International Rescue Committee) provided urgent medical and humanitarian assistance to all survivors before being taken to detention," UNHCR said. According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 6,000 illegal migrants have been rescued off the Libyan coast so far this year, including women and children. Rescued migrants end up in overcrowded reception centres across Libya, despite repeated international calls to close those centres.
Source:Libya Today
May 01, 2021 06:00 UTC
Frontex accused of collusion with Libyan coast guards
The practise of rather referring these cases to Libya’s coast guard or other national coast guards reportedly led to considerable delays likely resulting in death. Today, in our latest joint investigation, we reveal how #Frontex helps the Libyan Coast Guard haul refugees and migrants back to Libyan torture camps. "Frontex officials know that the Libyan coast guard is dragging refugees back to Libya, and that people there face torture and inhumane treatment." The Frontex spokesman further explained that private sea rescue organizations also allegedly turn to Libyan authorities for help in their missions. "The priority of all of us is to save lives," he said, stressing that near the Libyan coast, often it’s only the Libyan authorities that are able to do so.
Source:Libya Today
April 30, 2021 15:22 UTC
Opening of Italian consulate in Benghazi and visa issuance discussed
Opening of Italian consulate in Benghazi and visa issuance discussedBy Sami Zaptia. London, 30 April 2021:Following on from the meetings by Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush with Italy’s Foreign and Interior Ministers on 22 April in Rome and in following up on the implementation of what was agreed, the Libyan embassy in Rome held a meeting with the proposed Italian consul to Benghazi on Wednesday. The Libyan embassy reported that the meeting by ambassador Omar Tarhuni with consul Carlo Batori also came on the back of Italy’s readiness to open its Benghazi consulate and discussed the issuance of visas as well as the facilitation of all consular procedures at Benghazi. Mangoush to Italian parliament: Foreign forces must leave Libya. HSC: its not for government to reverse Turkey agreement to provide forces | (libyaherald.com)Foreign Minister Mangoush meets Italian Foreign and Defence Ministers in Rome | (libyaherald.com)
Source:Libya Herald
April 30, 2021 13:18 UTC
Hope for Libya’s healthcare after ten years of conflict
In December 2020, NRC began rehabilitating a medical centre in Abu Salim municipality near the Libyan capital, Tripoli. The medical centre was up and running by the start of 2021 and now has the potential to serve up to 6,000 people in the surrounding area. We visited the medical centre in April 2021 to speak to community members using the centre and frontline healthcare workers. The location of the clinic is very important – this area has no other health services.”The centre also addresses the affordability of healthcare in Libya. Furthermore, many health facilities – plagued by water and electricity cuts and shortages of healthcare workers, medical supplies and personal protective equipment – remain closed.
Source:Libya Today
April 30, 2021 12:11 UTC
Aldabaiba visits model solar panel car park project
Aldabaiba visits model solar panel car park projectBy Sami Zaptia. London, 30 April 2021:Libyan prime minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba visited the model solar panel car park project at the Centre for Solar Energy and Research (CSERS) in Tajura yesterday. The solar power project will be connected to the national grid producing 62 KW. The localization of solar energy. Private sector Alhandasya implementing solar project at Tajura Centre for Solar Energy and Research | (libyaherald.com)NOC looking forward to increased cooperation with Germany – the Berlin premium?
Source:Libya Herald
April 30, 2021 11:03 UTC
These rescuers want to save refugees fleeing Libya by sea. But they're trapped on shore by red tape
Salvini gained renown for blocking migrant rescue boats from re-entering Italian ports, stranding ships crowded with traumatized migrants at sea for weeks. (CBC)The current government does not block rescue ships from docking. A 'moment of shame'As the rescue boats idle in Italian ports, refugees stranded at sea are dying as they attempt to reach safe harbour. Three cargo vessels attempted to reach the people in distress, with the only NGO rescue boat at sea, the Ocean Viking, 10 hours away. Rescuers' frustration palpableAs Italy keeps rescue boats mired in bureaucracy, the frustration aboard Sea-Watch 3 is palpable.
Source:Libya Today
April 30, 2021 07:52 UTC
Those who yearn for war in Libya
There are many who want a new war in Libya. However, the forces of political Islam and the Turkish pressure group in Libya and abroad launched hostile campaigns directed against the minister. It also meant that there are still people betting on war and on the continuation of divisions, especially within the military establishment. These are members of the Muslim Brotherhood who believe that Libya cannot accommodate them together with the army and Haftar. Libya today needs a discourse of reason to prevail before the country is totally shattered.
Source:Libya Today
April 29, 2021 16:52 UTC
Menfi, Kubis discuss latest developments leading to elections on December 24
The Libyan Presidential Council's Head Mohammed Menfi discussed with the UN envoy to Libya, Jan Kubis, the practical steps for national reconciliation, consolidating the ceasefire agreement and fhe implementation of UN Security Council 2570. The Head of the Presidential Council and the UN envoy reviewed in Torbuk on Thursday the facilitation efforts of the UN Support Mission in Libya to help Libya hold general elections on December 24. The Head of Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed Menfi, also listened to the UN envoy tell the recent developments following his visits to international stakeholders and the UNSMIL efforts to help Libyans in the current interim period.
Source:Libya Observer
April 29, 2021 15:51 UTC
Egypt, Libya discuss beefing up investment opportunities
CAIRO – 29 April 2021: CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones Mohamed abdel Wahab, met with the Chairman of Libya Investment Authority and the Libyan Sovereign Wealth Fund to discuss investment opportunities in the two countries. The Libyan Investment Authority is the sovereign wealth fund (SWF) of Libya. The visit was the first by an Egyptian premier to Libya in years and many cooperation agreements were signed during the visit. Abdel Wahab said the meeting aims at exploring joint investment opportunities between the Libyan authority and Egyptian partners.The two sides agreed on some executive steps aiming at addressing any obstacle blocking flow of Libyan investments to Egypt. Counselor Mohamed Abdel-Wahab said that the meeting is the first step to enhance cooperation between the two countries, as joint investment opportunities between the Libyan Investment Authority and Egyptian partners were discussed, and an agreement was made to implement joint Egyptian-Libyan investment projects in the targeted sectors.
Source:Libya Today
April 29, 2021 14:48 UTC