Senior US official holds ‘fruitful consultations’ on reopening embassy in Libya
“(There were) fruitful consultations with (Norland) and the US embassy in Libya team on the prospects for boosting the US diplomatic presence in Libya to promote stability, security cooperation, economic growth and sustainable development,” Leaf said during her visit to Tunisia. “We eagerly hope that the US embassy can permanently return to Tripoli as soon as possible to provide consular, trade promotion, educational advising, and other services.”A/S Barbara Leaf: Fruitful consultations w/U.S. Libya descended into chaos after a NATO-backed uprising in 2011 toppled and claimed the life of longtime dictator Muammar Qaddafi. They deplored the recent violence in #Tripoli and agreed that peaceful dialogue toward a constitutional basis for elections must happen to prevent further instability and conflict. The State Department said that Leaf noted that the most recent violence has disrupted US efforts to reestablish a diplomatic presence in Libya.
Source:Libya Today
September 01, 2022 04:53 UTC
Libya: ‘ongoing stalemate & delays in implementing electoral process pose a threat to security’
United Nations published this video item, entitled “Libya: ‘ongoing stalemate & delays in implementing electoral process pose a threat to security'” – below is their description. In his address to the Council, Libyan Ambassador Taher M. T. Elsonni said, “as far as we are concerned, there’s nothing positive to note since our latest briefing last month.”He said, “the political stalemate, the security and military tensions persist. What can I tell you about the events of last month? children are dying of scorpion stings due to lack of medication. Libyan families are losing their lives when getting into the boats of death trying to emigrate to Europe.
Source:Libya Today
September 01, 2022 03:57 UTC
Why a naval blockade of migrants is unachievable and problematic – Ruetir
In reality it is an unattainable and very problematic measure from the point of view of respect for human rights. And a first issue, upstream, is that “naval blockade” is a wrong expression to describe what Meloni proposes. It is a very different thing from a naval blockade. Despite the meager description, it is clear that the Brothers of Italy proposal is unachievable and problematic from the point of view of respecting the human rights of migrants. #naval #blockade #migrants #unachievable #problematic #Post
Source:Libya Today
September 01, 2022 03:10 UTC
UN calls for elections in Libya, warns of potential for violence
The United Nations has voiced concern about Libya's security situation, stressing that elections are the only way to break the current impasse in the North African country. The two sides traded blame for the violence leading to the bloodletting. The UN' Libya mission called for "an immediate cessation of hostilities," citing "ongoing armed clashes including indiscriminate medium and heavy shelling in civilian-populated neighborhoods." She called on both parties to reach an agreement on a constitutional framework and a timeline for long-awaited elections that have been deadlocked since last December. Chaos and factional divisions then escalated into a regional proxy war fueled by foreign powers, which poured weapons and mercenaries into the country.
Source:Libya Today
September 01, 2022 00:43 UTC
India attacks Turkey for 'disregarding' UN on Libya
NEW DELHI: India has slammed Turkey for showing "blatant disregard" for UN security council resolutions on Libya saying such violations are a cause for serious concern. Participating in a UNSC briefing on Libya, Indian ambassador to UN Ruchira Kamboj said such activities are also in violation of the ceasefire agreement agreed by the Libyan parties themselves in 2020 and adverse effects of such actions are being seen in the enduring political stalemate. India's relationship with Turkey has been heading south in the recent past because of the latter's continued support for Pakistan's position on J&K, particularly after India's decision to revoke special status of the erstwhile state. "We reiterate that the sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of Libya must be safeguarded. The political process needs to be fully Libyan-led and Libyan-owned with no imposition or external interference," she said.
Source:Libya Today
September 01, 2022 00:31 UTC
41 refugees leave Libya to resettle in Norway, says UNHCR
The U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) helped helped 41 refugees leave Libya on flights to be resettled in Norway this week, the agency revealed on Wednesday. According to UNHCR, the flights were funded by Italy and the European Union. “We urge states to offer more safe and legal pathways to help vulnerable asylum seekers find safety out of Libya,” said UNHCR via Twitter.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 21:12 UTC
Libya spends a billion dollars on 'security' in 7 months
Recent data issued by the Ministry of Finance in the National Unity Government in Libya shows that the salaries of the defence and interior sectors exceeded one billion dollars during the first seven months of this year, local media reports. According to the report, a billion dollars spent on defence and interior represents more than 20 per cent of the total salaries in the country, torn by armed and political conflicts for more than 10 years. The data showed that the salaries of those affiliated with the Ministry of Interior amounted to 2.73 billion dinars during the period from January to the end of July. The number of employees in the Ministry of Defence is 205,000, in addition to 190,000 members of the Ministry of Interior in the Government of National Unity, while there is no data available about the number of militants affiliated with retired Major General Khalifa Haftar, who also receive salaries from State resources, the report added. READ: Death toll from Tripoli clashes in Libya rises to 32
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 21:09 UTC
Ghana: We're Ready to Help Libyan Come Out of Crisis - Editor
The Libyan Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Khamis Barak, has advised African journalists to give more attention of their reportage on Libyan crisis rather than leaving it in the hands of foreign media. This according to him would help reduce the negative reports filed by some foreign press and aid in finding solutions to the crisis. He said this yesterday when he paid a courtesy call on the Editor of the Ghanaian Times, Mr David Agbenu to familiarise himself with activities of the newspaper. Mr Barak commended Ghanaians for promoting peaceful co-existence, adding that since Ghana gained independence, it has maintained the peace and security. I pray Libya gains its full recovery from the crisis."
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 20:08 UTC
Dbeibeh in Malta to discuss Libyan frozen funds, reports
Libya’s outgoing prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh landed in the Maltese capital Valetta today and was welcomed by the country’s Foreign Minister Ian Borg upon arrival, announced the Libyan government. Dbeibeh, who was accompanied by the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya Saddek Elkaber, is scheduled to meet with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela, according to a report by the Times of Malta. Italian news agency Nova reported that According to the Times of Malta newspaper, the Prime Minister of the Gun will hold talks with Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela. Among the topics at the center of the discussions could also be the thorny issue of Libya’s frozen funds in Malta. According to Nova, Dbeibeh and Elkaber intend to discuss the release of “huge sums of money” frozen in the banks of the European country.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 17:57 UTC
Libya: Failure To Cooperate
The Bashagha forces in Tripoli would have had no chance to succeed if the Turkish forces got involved. The best post-2011 Libya has been able to do is create somewhat stable coalitions in eastern and western Libya. There is less and less violence in Libya because of the stalemate, and that means there is currently no war in Libya. Haftar forces were effective and loyal because Haftar took care of them and minimized friendly casualties. This is a failure of the powerful Libyans to agree and the result has been perpetual chaos because of a failure to cooperate by the Libyans with the most power.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 10:19 UTC
From Baghdad to Tripoli
And so it is another one of the ongoing intermittent rounds of civil conflict in Libya. What began in the summer of 2014 with the war over control over Tripoli International Airport is ongoing and escalating. True, the belligerent parties are no longer called the Tripoli Islamists, the Misrata Warriors, or the Zintan Militia, as had been the case eight years ago. Their names have changed, as have their slogans and symbols, but the ethnoregional fusion that produces violence and strife has not. There can be no doubt as to whether foreign actors share some responsibility for what has happened to Libya and Iraq before it.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 09:08 UTC
Libya: political stalemate and lack of progress in the elections
3 The Government of National Accord (GNA) is based in the capital Tripoli located in the west, while the Libyan National Army (LNA) is in the east. 14 No progress “Despite our continued efforts, no progress has been made in building a consensus on a constitutional framework for elections,” she said. 21 Oil Is Flowing Again Turning to economic developments, Ms. DiCarlo reported that oil production resumed in July, after a nearly three-month shutdown. 26 Last week, armed groups affiliated with the Libyan National Army, one of the rival government structures, surrounded the town of Qasr Bouhadi. 28 Ms. DiCarlo called for the restrictions on the population to be lifted immediately and warned that the situation could escalate.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 08:26 UTC
5 die, 16 missing as migrants boat sinks off Libya
A rescue unit official told AFP that the boat with 27 people on board -- all Egyptians -- capsized off Tolmeta in the east, but without specifying when this happened. The official said five bodies were recovered and six people rescued. Another 16 were missing and presumed drowned. "The boat was 35 kilometers (19 nautical miles) off the coast in a rocky and hard-to-reach area, and this hampered rescue efforts," the source said. Thousands remain stranded in the lawless North African state.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 08:15 UTC
Al-Mismari says Haftar's forces don't support any party of the conflict
The spokesman for Khalifa Haftar's forces Ahmed Al-Mismari said they don't support any party in the clashes that have taken place in Tripoli recently, telling Italian NOVA news agency that their forces haven't taken part of the Tripoli clashes and are not backing up any of the political parties to the current crisis. Al-Mismari said Haftar's General Command has chosen neutrality to the current conflict despite its support the legitimacy represented in the House of Representatives. "We are sorry for the loss of lives and destruction of private and public properties that have been caused by Tripoli clashes. This would entail a very costly bill for the state treasury department." Al-Mismari also said Haftar and his forces believe the solution in Libya is through fair and transparent elections as they are the only way for state institutions to be under the command of a president and government.
Source:Libya Observer
August 31, 2022 07:50 UTC
Libyan PM expected in Malta today for talks with the government
Embattled Libyan prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah is expected to fly to Malta today for talks with the government amid tensions following an upsurge of fighting in Tripoli in recent days. Dbeibah is set to hold talks with Prime Minister Robert Abela and will be joined by the governor of Tripoli’s central bank. Government sources said that while there is no fixed agenda, the Libyan leader is expected to discuss Libyan monies that were held at the now-shuttered SataBank. In 2019 Times of Malta had revealed how authorities seized $1.1 billion in a parallel Libyan currency, printed in Russia. Libya’s Abdul Hamid Dbeibah is to hold talks with Prime Minister Robert Abela today.
Source:Libya Today
August 31, 2022 04:50 UTC