Is Iraq's notorious 'oil for food program' to be repeated in Libya?
In a tweet on 28 June, the US embassy has, for the first time, unveiled what it called "efforts" to "establish a Libyan-led mechanism to provide transparency regarding how oil revenues are spent". The aim, then, was to make sure that oil revenues are equally distributed among Libyans through a unified mechanism to avoid any suspension of oil production and exports of the country's lifeline, oil, ultimately de-weaponising oil in the conflict. READ: Libya's power cuts enrage citizens, spurring protestCritics believe what the US Ambassador is proposing is an amended copy of the notorious "oil for food program" that was imposed on Iraq in 1995 to deny Iraq the freedom of managing and utilising its oil revenues. Furthermore the accounts of the Libyan State will be reviewed by a third party—likely to be an independent accounting firm—illegal under current Libyan laws. READ: Protesters set Libya parliament on fireMany believe the international military intervention in Libya in 2011 was, partly, to dominate and control part of the country's huge oil wealth.
Source:Libya Today
July 07, 2022 15:40 UTC
Qatar Affirms Support for Efforts to Achieve Peace in Libya
The State of Qatar has affirmed its support for all international, regional, and United Nations efforts aimed at achieving peace, protecting and promoting human rights in Libya, and ensuring Libya’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and the security and safety of its citizens. This came in the statement of the State of Qatar delivered by HE Permanent Representative of the State of Qatar to the United Nations Office in Geneva Dr. Hind bint Abdul Rahman Al Muftah, during the interactive dialogue with the Independent Fact-Finding Mission on Libya, before the 50th Human Rights Council under item 10 of the council agenda. She urged all parties to end the protracted transitional stages, move forward with the political process, and reach a consensual constitutional framework conducive to holding presidential and parliamentary elections to end the conflict in the country and achieve national reconciliation, stability, and peace. Al Muftah called on the international community and the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue providing technical assistance and capacity-building, especially in the field of human rights, in line with the priorities and needs of the Libyan government. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of The State of Qatar.
Source:Libya Today
July 07, 2022 15:01 UTC
First unit at Tobruk power station goes into test operation – promising 180 MW of power
The state General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) stated today that the operational start of the first unit of the fast tracked Tobruk power station will be launched today. It added that it will subsequently feed the electrical network after the completion of the initial tests, with a production capacity of 180 megawatts. The news comes after similar announcements had been made about units from the fast tracked Misrata and Tripoli West power stations were made over the last few days and weeks. The announcement of the operation of the Tobruk power station comes as welcomed news to the Libyan public and their troubled political elite after the recent violent demonstrations in protest at acute power cuts. Electricity crisis: GM Ismail takes over; old board continues as two new units start operation (libyaherald.com)GECOL signs agreement with EG for Ghadames 200 MW solar project (libyaherald.com)Lengthy power cuts lead to GECOL head Abdali being suspended (libyaherald.com)Power cuts touch a nerve and lead to call for politically neutral public demonstrations (libyaherald.com)Misrata fast track power station expected to enter service end of June (libyaherald.com)Damage from Janzour militia clashes will result in power cuts and delay in Tripoli West power station coming online this summer: GECOL (libyaherald.com)Tripoli West Fast Track power station about to enter production: GECOL (libyaherald.com)As extreme temperatures cause longer power cuts, Aldabaiba and GECOL head come under pressure (libyaherald.com)
Source:Libya Today
July 07, 2022 13:57 UTC
GECOL signs agreement with EG for Ghadames 200 MW solar project
The state General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) announced today that it has signed at its Tripoli headquarters an energy purchase agreement with EG Alternative Energies to implement the Ghadames solar energy project with a production capacity of 200 megawatts. GECOL said this comes within its joint endeavour with the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL) to integrate renewable energies into plans to increase production and distribute its sources. Wiam Al-Abdali, the recently suspended and temporarily reinstated GECOL chairman, signed the agreement in the presence of REAoL head Abdul Salam Al-Ansari. Libya and Total Energies sign preliminary agreement to establish 500 MW solar power project (libyaherald.com)NOC and Total Energies installing local solar electricity installations (libyaherald.com)GECOL and Total discuss necessary arrangements to launch implementation of solar power plant project (libyaherald.com)NOC and Total discuss increased production, reduced emissions, renewables and capacity-building (libyaherald.com)GIZ ”Kick-off workshop” in Tunis to launch solar energy in Libya – LibyaHeraldU.S. firm Solarcode meets Acting Economy Minister to discuss investment opportunities in Libya’s renewable sector – LibyaHeraldZadco Renewables launches Libyan-made outdoor sun sheltered seat with solar powered laptop and mobile charger – LibyaHeraldPIB makes progress in energy generation investment by private sector – licenses first 200 MW solar investment project – LibyaHeraldLibya Solar Energy expo – Tripoli 6 to 8 March – LibyaHeraldFrance’s Total Energies discusses alternative energies with PIB, including 500 MW solar projects – LibyaHeraldLibya-U.S. discussions on agricultural cooperation include food security, solar energy, private investment, pest control and training – LibyaHeraldTotal Energies, GECOL and REAoL launch 500 MW Sadada solar power plant project (libyaherald.com)REAoL and Total Energy discuss renewable energy projects (libyaherald.com)
Source:Libya Today
July 07, 2022 13:48 UTC
Globle answer today – here’s the answer and hints for Globle on July 8
READ MORE: Heardle answer for todayEven if you’re a geography pro, guessing the Globle answer each day can be a real challenge. Globle hint for today (July 8)AdvertisementTo help get you closer to today’s Globle answer, we’ve included some hints below. Country in EuropeCapital City is BudapestBegins with an ‘H’Globle answer for today (July 8)Today’s Globle answer is Hungary. Globle answer archiveWe’ll be keeping some past Globle answers in the archive list below. That’s all you need to know about today’s Globle puzzle.
Source:Libya Today
July 07, 2022 10:59 UTC
Libya's Dbeibah seeks calm after electricity protests
The meeting followed a night of angry protests across the capital, where masked youths set car tyres alight and blocked roads. In both Tripoli and the main eastern city of Benghazi, the cradle of the 2011 uprising, thousands took to the streets to chants of "we want the lights to work". The government "didn't take the electricity crisis seriously", he said, adding that resolving it would take longer than expected. Planning minister Mohamed Zaidani said some $2.96 billion had been spent on the electricity sector since 2013. But voting never took place due to several contentious candidacies and deep disagreements over the polls' legal basis between the rival power centres in the east and west.
Source:Libya Today
July 05, 2022 00:24 UTC
AU confirms its support for the demonstrators in Libya
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, has expressed his full support for the demonstrations in Libya to end the crisis, describing it as a legitimate popular movement. In a statement on Sunday, Faki urged everyone to respect public and private property, welcoming the support of the Libyan parties to the African roadmap for national reconciliation, which he emphasized to be Libyan-administered.
Source:Libya Observer
July 04, 2022 21:55 UTC
Turkey refuses inspection of ships in Libya for eighth time
The European Naval Operation IRINI has revealed that Turkey refused to inspect its ships bound for the Libyan port of Misrata for the eighth time, according to the Italian Nova news agency. IRINI reiterated the UN Security Council's call to all UN members to cooperate with the inspections, expressing its regret over Turkey’s denial to inspect another ship, MV Parpali, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2292 on the arms embargo on Libya.
Source:Libya Observer
July 04, 2022 21:55 UTC
Libya protests planned over power cuts, political deadlock
Libyans angered by rising prices, chronic power cuts and political deadlock planned further demonstrations Monday after a night of angry protests across the capital. Public anger has been fuelled by power cuts that often last 18 hours amid soaring summer temperatures, despite Libya sitting on Africa’s largest oil reserves. On Friday night, protesters stormed the seat of the House of Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk, ransacking its offices and torching part of the building. But voting never took place due to several contentious candidacies and deep disagreements over the polls’ legal basis between the rival power centres in east and west. Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui told AFP that “kleptocracy and systematic corruption” were rife in both eastern and western Libya.
Source:Libya Today
July 04, 2022 21:51 UTC
Libya's power cuts enrage citizens, spurring protest
Frustration at power cuts and myriad other failings of Libya's feuding factional leaders erupted into protests on Friday against political institutions on nearly all sides of the country's messy conflict. State electricity company GECOL is working with foreign contractors to bring three more power stations into operation this summer, but work has been slower than promised. Even outside a main GECOL building in central Tripoli, a big yellow generator stands to keep the office working during power cuts. With power cuts sometimes lasting more than 24 hours, often taking out internet access across whole districts, it comes to affect almost aspect of life. Since Friday's protests, Libya's rival factions have accused each other of ultimate responsibility for the crisis and promised to work to improve the situation.
Source:Libya Today
July 04, 2022 20:38 UTC
The Wrap: ASX closes higher after RBA raises rates
Welcome to your five-minute recap of the trading day and how the experts saw it. The numbers: The Australian sharemarket closed higher after the Reserve Bank lifted interest rates by 50 basis points as expected on Tuesday afternoon. Woodside was among the big risers, jumping by 3.8 per cent. Investors will have their eyes locked on the RBA decision on Tuesday afternoon. Credit:Louie DouvisTech stocks also rose by 1.9 per cent, while other sectors were relatively unmoved, aside from real estate stocks which fell by 1.3 per cent.
Source:Libya Today
July 04, 2022 19:23 UTC
NATO’s China overtures a new bid for military relevance
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol at the NATO summit in Madrid, Spain. NATO had been credible when the Soviet Union challenged Europe. The joke at the time that 250 million Americans protected 300 million Europeans against 280 million Soviet citizens underscored the importance of the US and the inability of the Europeans to protect their borders. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, NATO lost its raison d’etre, and understandably struggled to identify a meaningful role for itself. Adventures in conflicts like Libya only served to highlight NATO’s desperation for relevance and its military inadequacies.
Source:Libya Today
July 04, 2022 19:00 UTC
Minister of Oil: Sanalla is withholding information from govt
Minister of Oil and Gas Mohamed Aoun says that he did not receive any production data since last April 3, as he accused the National Oil Corporation Chairman Mustafa Sanalla of withholding such critical information. According to Aoun, the PM addressed Sanalla three times, obliging him to send the reports to the relevant authorities, but he has not responded to date. He also touched upon the issue of gas prices and the possibility of reviewing Libya's contracts with Eni in line with the Algerian Sonatrach, which announced an update of its gas prices. According to Aoun, the contract between Libya and Eni provides for reviewing prices every three years and has a specific formula for calculating the price of gas. It may be worth noting that Minister Aoun had requested the PM to issue a decision regarding changing the board of directors of the National Oil Corporation.
Source:Libya Observer
July 04, 2022 15:48 UTC
Three bodies, including two children found in port of Zawiya
Three bodies have been retrieved from a port in Zawiya city, the Libyan Red Crescent has confirmed. The team was called after reports concerning three bodies found in the Marsa Dela Port northwest of Zawiya. The organization said the victims, who included a Syrian and two Libyan children under the age of 15, were transferred to a morgue at the Zawiya Teaching Hospital. A video clip has been circulating online showing the moment the victims were picked up after drowning in the sea.
Source:Libya Observer
July 04, 2022 14:45 UTC
Siemens, NVIDIA Partner to Build Industrial Metaverse
Siemens, one of the world’s leading industrial and infrastructure firms, partnered with artificial intelligence (AI) and graphics technology giant NVIDIA last week in a bid to build the industrial Metaverse. The new partnership aims to boost the deployment of AI-powered digital twins via Siemens’ Xcelerator tool with NVIDIA’s Omniverse 3D design platform, allowing the development of an industrial Metaverse using the former’s “physics-based digital models” and the latter’s real-time AI. Roland Busch, President and Chief Executive of Siemens AG, said in a statement,“Photorealistic, physics-based digital twins embedded in the industrial metaverse offer enormous potential to transform our economies and industries by providing a virtual world where people can interact and collaborate to solve real-world problems. Jensen Huang, Chief Executive and Founder of NVIDIA, added the joint venture would allow both enterprises to realise their “common vision” of building the industrial metaverse to drive the global sector’s digital transformation. NVIDIA’s solution aims to facilitate content creation for XR firms with its digital creation platform by streamlining digitisation processes and building real-time 3D (RT3D) assets.
Source:Libya Today
July 04, 2022 11:48 UTC