Libya's Al-Sirraj talks cooperation with CEO of Italian oil giant Eni
The Head of the Presidential Council in Libya's capital, Tripoli, Fayez Al-Sirraj, met with the Italian ambassador Giuseppe Perrone and a delegation from the Italian oil company Eni, including the CEO Claudio Descalzi. The meeting tackled cooperation talks between Libya and the Italian company to boost economy. Al-Sirraj's media office reported that there had been an agreement in the meeting to carry out new investment projects in development sectors and in the oil sector, especially in the southern and northern regions. Eni also agreed to a proposal by Al-Sirraj to send a technical team to assess the electricity network in Libya so they can cooperate with Libya by enhancing the network, besides building a new power station, according to the media office. Eni is a vital partner of the Libyan National Oil Corporation in the oil industry and a partner of the Mellitah oil and gas company, which is the largest Libyan oil firm that produces 600.000 bpd, among other products.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 18:43 UTC
Libyan assembly postpones debate over constitution poll
UN-backed roadmap calls for presidential and parliamentary polls, along with referendum on new constitutionBy Jihad NasrTRIPOLILibya’s Tobruk-based parliament on Monday prematurely adjourned a session held to vote on whether or not to hold a popular referendum on a new constitution. “Today’s session has been adjourned until tomorrow to allow more discussion of the proposed referendum,” Assembly Speaker Aqila Saleh said during the session, which was broadcast live on local television. In a statement posted on the assembly’s website, assembly spokesman Abdullah Balikhak said “consensus” had been reached between most MPs on an amended version of a referendum bill -- with the exception of a handful of articles over which some disagreement remains. Balikhak did not, however, specify the articles over which there was still some contention. A UN-proposed roadmap for Libya, unveiled earlier this year, calls for presidential and parliamentary elections and a popular referendum on a new national charter.
Source:Libya Today
July 30, 2018 18:22 UTC
Libya's parliament puts off constitution referendum law session to Tuesday
The spokesman for the Libyan House of Representatives (HoR) Abdullah Belhiq said the Speaker Aqilah Saleh suspended the Monday session in which the members were supposed to vote on a constitution referendum law, adding that they will hold another session Tuesday. Belhiq said 93 members attended the session and discussed the draft law, which splits Libyan electoral process to three polling centers, with the passing of the law necessitating two thirds of the votes plus one. During the HoR's session, both pro and anti referendum law members had been tense after several members were prevented by protesters (including east-based HoR members) from entering the parliament building. The yet-to-be-passed law allows the electoral commission to postpone the referendum day if riots or other instabilities took place. Several members said earlier that the law was minutely devised to be rejected.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 17:26 UTC
10,500 Nigerians rescued from Libya
…As FG rescue 10 potential Russia bond-trafficking victimsSo far, over 10,500 Nigerians have been rescued from Libya. This number includes the 3500 so far rescued by the Federal Government and over 7000 rescued by the International Organization for Migration. She said that the agency has so far recorded 359 convictions against traffickers since inception and 43 this year alone. The DG also revealed that ten potential Russia bond human trafficking victims where rescued at the Lagos airport on their way out. Okah-Donli added that the agency has written to the Ministry of Sports, inviting people who returned from the world cup in Russia to report to them.
Source:Libya Today
July 30, 2018 17:15 UTC
HoR continued debate of constitution referendum bill – adjourns for vote tomorrow
HoR continued debate of constitution referendum bill – adjourns for vote tomorrowBy Sami Zaptia. London, 30 July 2018:The House of Representatives (HoR) continued its debate of the referendum law for Libya’s draft permanent constitution in its official session in Tobruk today. At the session, HoR head, Ageela Saleh, read out the amended bill that after the HoR’s Legal Committee had made its amendments. The TCD is Libya’s current temporary constitution – until the new permanent constitution is agreed. One member complained that demonstrators outside the HoR building prevented a number of his colleagues from entering the HoR.
Source:Libya Today
July 30, 2018 16:07 UTC
Spanish ambassador to Libya Miguel says Spanish embassy to reopen soon in Tripoli
Spanish ambassador to Libya Francisco de Miguel said that the Spanish embassy will reopen in Tripoli soon. In a meeting with member the Presidential Council Abdulsalam Kajman in Tripoli, Sunday, Miguel stressed that his country is ready to cooperate with Libya in various fields, including in the security and economy aspects, according to the Information Office of the Presidential Council. The Information Office added that both sides also agreed on the need to activate the agreements signed between Spain and Libya.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 12:07 UTC
Armed group prevents Hasawna System staff from work site
The Southern Region Administration of the Man-Made River said Sunday that an armed group in the town of Mizda prevented staff members working in the Hasawna System from accessing the field sites. On its Facebook, the administration clarified that gunmen blocked the road between Tripoli and Sabha, preventing all cars from passing in protest of power cuts and lack of fuel in their area, adding that among the cars that were forced to turn back was the bus carrying the administration's staff.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 11:58 UTC
Deputy head of UNSMIL meets Governor of CBL on economic reform package
Deputy head of the Un mission for Political Affairs Stephanie Williams met Sunday with the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) Al-Siddiq Al-Kabir. Al-Kabir briefed Williams on the latest measures taken by the CBL concerning the economic reform package, which aims to alleviate the economic crisis suffocating the country, according to the UN mission Twitter account. Since her appointment last month, Williams has been holding intensive meetings on a daily basis with officials of the Presidential Council and the government, as well as officials from the eastern government, in what observers see as a new impetus to the American role in the Libyan scene.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 09:56 UTC
Foreign Minister Sayala reviews bilateral relations with South Korean ambassador
Foreign Minister Mohamed Sayala met with the South Korean ambassador to Libya Choi Sung-Soo, Sunday, at the Foreign Ministry headquarters to discuss bilateral relations and issues of common interest, and to enhance joint cooperation in all fields in the interests of both countries. The meeting discussed the importance of the return of Korean companies to Libya in order to complete stalled contract projects in the field of construction and electric power. The two sides also reviewed proposals for the entry of companies and investors from Korea in the Libyan market and the possibility of implementing new projects in the areas of housing, construction and energy, as well as contributing in reconstruction programs in war-affected cities in Libya.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 09:45 UTC
Deputy head of UNSMIL reviews political situation in Libya with Sarraj
Deputy head of the UN mission for political affairs, Stephanie Williams, met Sunday with Chairman of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj at the PC's headquarters in Tripoli to discuss the latest political situation in Libya and the measures taken by the government, concerning the electoral process. Both sides agreed that the path towards the elections along with other tracks of the political solution should be under the umbrella of the United Nations. Williams expressed appreciation for “Sarraj's efforts to stabilize the country” in light of the political and economic challenges and to strengthen the rule of law, according to the Information Office of the PC.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 09:00 UTC
Five dead in fatal car accident in Sirte
Five people were killed and two others injured in a horrific traffic accident after a car overturned on the desert road south of Sirte city. The accident occurred on July 27, 60 km south of the city, the Security Directorate of Sirte confirmed, explaining that the presence of sand dunes on the road and driving at high-speed led to the overturn of the car, killing five passengers including the driver of the vehicle.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 09:00 UTC
Tripoli Security Directorate conducts campaign against illegal power line connections
The Security Directorate of Tripoli said that it had formed a task force consisting of several security agencies in cooperation with the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) to start a campaign against illegal power line connections, which contribute to power fluctuation in the electrical grid. In a statement, the Tripoli Security Directorate called on all citizens to cooperate with the security forces, demanding all those who were involved in connecting power lines in an illegal way to complete their procedures through the company's offices in all areas and to have their lines connected under the supervision of the GECOL, according to the statement.
Source:Libya Observer
July 30, 2018 08:37 UTC
News Recap - Sun, July 29, 2018
Here is a recap of Sunday’s news headlines from The Libya ObserverExchange Rates http://lyo.ly/5acUnidentified persons attack Man-Made River control station in Tripoli http://lyo.ly/8hnFirst turbine of Khalij steam power plant in Sirte closed for periodic maintenance http://lyo.ly/8hoUNSMIL deputy head for political affairs discusses economic reforms with deputy head of PC Maiteeq http://lyo.ly/8hpRepresentatives of Tabu in CDA and Amazigh call for boycott of constitutional referendum http://lyo.ly/8hqWFP delivers humanitarian aid to families in Sirte http://lyo.ly/8hrZintan and Mashashiya tribes exchange prisoners http://lyo.ly/8htClashes in southwestern Libya leave casualties http://lyo.ly/8huBread crisis shadows Libya http://lyo.ly/8hvLibya Constitution Drafting Assembly's Chairman resigns http://lyo.ly/8i3Libyan Presidential Council gives its Defense Minister the sack http://lyo.ly/8i5
Source:Libya Observer
July 29, 2018 19:43 UTC
Libyan Presidential Council gives its Defense Minister the sack
The Presidential Council (PC) has issued an order dismissing the Defense Minister Mahdi Al-Barghathi after his suspension was scrapped. No reasons were given by the Presidential Council for sacking Al-Barghathi. Even before the military base incident, Al-Sirraj and Al-Barghathi were not any closer as the latter supported military actions by Ibrahim Jodran and others, while the former used to condemn them. Al-Sirraj also suspended Al-Barghathi from the task of coordinating with the UN sanctions committee and appointed Foreign Minister Mohammed Sayala in his place. No names were revealed by the PC to substitute Al-Barghathi at the Defense Ministry, which is run by deputy minister Ewhid Najim since the suspension of the latter.
Source:Libya Observer
July 29, 2018 19:30 UTC
Libyan Constitution Drafting Assembly's Chairman resigns
The Chairman of the Libyan Constitution Drafting Assembly (CDA) Noah Abdelsayid resigned Sunday, citing personal issues. "His resignation doesn't affect the constitution draft approved on July 2017 as the deputy chairman can assume office as an acting chairman." CDA members explained. Recently, Abdelsayid urged the HoR to issue a constitution referendum law so Libyans can say yes or no to the CDA-devised draft. He also criticized the Geneva-based Center for Humanitarian Dialogue over its wish to meet with CDA constitution draft's boycotting members to reach consensus on the draft.
Source:Libya Observer
July 29, 2018 18:56 UTC