More details emerge of the 3 MoU’s signed yesterday between Libya and Italy
More details emerged of the three MoU’s signed yesterday in Tripoli during the visit of Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Melloni and several of her government ministers, received by Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba. The Aldabaiba government is struggling to find enough cash to cover its existing commitments, let alone any new ones. For example, the Tripoli government is struggling to restart its agreement with IVECO for its state Truck and Bus Company (TBO) – which owes debts to Italy. The Tripoli government is also struggling to finance the Tripoli International Airport project which is slowing down its implementation. So, MoU’s are great political expressions – but they must be understood for what they are.
Source:Libya Today
May 08, 2024 08:57 UTC
Italy PM Meloni signs cooperation deals in Libya visit
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni visited Libya on Tuesday to sign cooperation agreements with leaders from both administrations in the conflict-torn country. Accompanied by a ministerial delegation on her second visit to Libya since taking office in October 2022, Meloni first met the head of the Tripoli-based government, Abdelhamid Dbeibah, Libyan officials said. "Declarations of intent" were signed on cooperation in health, education and research as well as youth and sports, an Italian government statement said. The agreements come as part of Meloni's long-awaited "Mattei Plan" named after Enrico Mattei, founder of the Italian energy company Eni. On her first visit to Libya early last year, Meloni signed a major gas deal with the North African country, the continent's richest in hydrocarbon reserves.
Source:Libya Today
May 08, 2024 07:33 UTC
A framework for Middle East peace and stability
The broader Middle East needs peace and stability, not more conflict. Nations in the Middle East need peace and stability and to be in the position of benefiting from regional cooperation. But to get there, the US needs to change direction and work within the framework of the United Nations to create a regional security framework for peace and stability. Nations in the Middle East need peace and stability and to be in the position of benefiting from regional cooperation. But to get there, the USA needs to change direction and work within the framework of the United Nations to create a regional security framework for peace and stability.
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 18:32 UTC
After clean chit to Nawaz, President Zardari gets ‘immunity’ in Toshakhana vehicle case
ISLAMABAD: In view of the constitutional immunity of the head of the state, an accountability court in Islamabad on Tuesday halted its proceedings against incumbent President Asif Ali Zardari in the Toshakhana vehicle reference. Approving his request, accountability court judge Justice Javed Rana halted the proceedings against the president in the Toshakhana case. The anti-graft body, in its report, had requested an accountability court in Islamabad to acquit the former premier. In March 2020, NAB filed the Toshakhana reference in an accountability court against the three political leaders. According to the accountability bureau, former president Zardari and former premier Sharif obtained cars from the Toshakana by paying 15% of the price of the cars.
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 18:32 UTC
Roderick Bonnici is made acting BCA CEO
Roderick Bonnici has been appointed acting Building and Construction Authority CEO. Bonnici had previously been head of the Planning Authority department which is tasked with approving permit applications. He graduated with a Bachelors in Engineering and Architecture, with a Masters degree in Project Management at the University of Malta. Maltese prime minister Robert Abela has admitted that authorities that regulate the construction industry still do not have the necessary resources needed for such a task. READ ALSO: Former planning chair denounced by NGOs appointed to Building and Construction Authority
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 15:49 UTC
Italy’s Meloni to Make Push for Foreign Fighters to Leave Libya
(Bloomberg) -- Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is expected to stress her government’s commitment to ending the presence of foreign fighters in Libya as she promotes her so-called “Mattei plan” for the region during a state visit to the divided African country. Most Read from BloombergMeloni will meet officials including Khalifa Haftar, the military commander who holds sway over the oil-producing nation’s east. Migration has traditionally been a hot topic in the political debate in Italy and Meloni has attempted to control the narrative on the issue. Read more: Italy Seeks to Boost Africa Ties With €5.5 Billion Funding PlanLibya’s rival administrations also have opposing views on foreign policy. Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek©2024 Bloomberg L.P.
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 13:53 UTC
‘Moderate your language’ IGM tells Prime Minister
The Institute of Journalists has criticised “unacceptable remarks” by the Prime Minister in accusing some journalists of being part of the so called “establishment” and implying they are enemies of the state. The comments were made by Robert Abela during a press conference held on Monday hours after criminal charges were filed against former prime minister Joseph Muscat and other senior figures of the administration. During the press conference Abela came out swinging, accusing journalists hailing from certain media houses of helping the establishment. “The IGM calls on the Prime Minister to moderate his language. The IGM expressed its full support and solidarity with journalists at this moment and urges them to continue with their work without fear or favour.
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 13:17 UTC
Home Affairs Minister meets with Eastern Libya military leader Khalifa Haftar
Home affairs minister Byron Camilleri met with Libyan Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on Tuesday for talks in Benghazi on security challenges in the Mediterranean. In a press statement on Tuesday, the home affairs ministry said the two sides agreed on further cooperation between Malta and East Libya, primarily on training, education, and combatting human trafficking and criminal activity. “Collaboration between Libya and neighbouring countries like Malta can benefit the citizens of Malta and Libya, and their interests in the two countries,” Camilleri said. Last year, a Maltese diplomatic delegation met with Haftar – a diplomatic first at the time. READ ALSO: Malta provided migrant boat location to Libyan militia with human trafficking ties
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 11:58 UTC
Steward Healthcare files for US bankruptcy to pay back $500 million to creditors
Steward Health Care, the American healthcare provider whose international arm had acquired Malta’s controversial hospitals’ PPP, has filed for bankruptcy in Texas. The company said it is relying on its landlord, Medical Properties Trust, to provide sufficient funding to allow its hospitals to continue to operate through bankruptcy. Steward will seek up to $300 million in financing from Medical Properties Trust, after failing to quickly close a sale of its physician group Stewardship Health. The company is asking for $75 million to start its bankruptcy case, with up to $225 million at a later date. The company started buying up Massachusetts hospitals in 2010, with hundreds of millions of dollars in backing from private equity giant Cerberus.
Source:Libya Today
May 07, 2024 11:36 UTC
While his band was away on tour, a military coup erupted at home
I prefer number two and number three,” say Moctar of a Tuareg tea service’s successive steepings. Following the album’s recording during the band’s 2023 North American tour, a military coup erupted in its home country, Niger, stranding them stateside. The band’s Funeral for Justice was recorded during their US tour after a military coup erupted in their home country, Niger. Sonically, Moctar’s music departs from Tinariwen’s hypnotic expression of assouf. We’ll share it one day, maybe we’re gonna drink tea together.” Mdou Moctar’s Funeral for Justice is out now.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 19:31 UTC
At Least 107 migrants freed from captivity in southeast Libya, spokesman says
BENGHAZI - At least 107 migrants including women and children have been freed from captivity in a town in southeast Libya, a security force spokesman said on Monday. Walid Alorafi, spokesman for the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Benghazi, said according to some migrants, they were held in captivity for up to seven months and "they wanted to go to Europe." "The migrants have been all handed over to (the) illegal migration agency for completion of some procedures," Alorafi added. Other footage included shots of migrants with torture marks on their bodies. Oil-rich Libya is home to 704,369 migrants from over 43 nationalities, according to data collected in 100 Libyan municipalities in mid-2023, U.N. figures show.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 18:21 UTC
IOM: 265 migrants intercepted and returned to Libya in a week, over 5200 in 2024
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced today that 265 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya from 28 April to 4 May. So far in 2024, 5207 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya, according to IOM. IOM statistics say that 245 migrants died and 324 went missing on the Central Mediterranean Route from 1 January to 4 May, 2024.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 16:17 UTC
Libyan military delegation participates in African Land Forces Summit
A delegation of military officials from throughout Libya participated last week in the African Land Forces Summit (ALFS) in Zambia, according to U.S. Embassy in Libya. Sponsored by the U.S. Army Chief of Staff and co-hosted by U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa and the Zambian Army, this event brought together 750 representatives from across Africa and other partner nations, the Embassy said in a statement today.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 16:17 UTC
LAIP’s Prime Atlantic Hotel in Banjul, Gambia reopened after completion of initial renovation
The Libya Africa Investment Portfolio (LAIP) opened its Prime Atlantic Hotel in the Gambian capital Banjul last Saturday after the completion of the first phase of its maintenance, LAIP’s Media Department informed Libya Herald. LAIP, created under the Qaddafi regime, is Libya’s sovereign investment fund specialised in investments in Africa. It owns and manages the Prime Atlantic Hotel. The opening ceremony was led by LAIP’s Chairman, Mustafa Abu Funas, the Chairman of the Union of Turkish Companies Investing in Africa, Emin Çakmak, and the Chairman of the Turkish Arsi Company, Saruhan. On the Gambian side, the opening ceremony of the hotel was attended by the Gambian Ministers of Tourism, Economy, Investment and Youth, the Mayor of Banjul Municipality, and the Chairman of the Gambian Tourism Board.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 14:16 UTC
Jordanian and Qatar Airways to resume Libya flights this month – discussions ongoing with Saudi Airlines
Royal Jordanian and Qatar Airways will resume flights to and from Libya this month and discussions are ongoing with Saudi Airlines to resume their flights, Transport Minister Mohamed Shahoubi confirmed. Implementing terminal at Tripoli International AirportThe meeting also discussed the timetable for implementing the passenger terminal at Tripoli International Airport, additional work for operation, and an inventory of the work carried out in the main project for implementing the airport. He directed the need to focus on completing the passenger terminal at Tripoli International Airport according to the approved schedule. After reviewing the designs and technical studies, he directed the start of contractual procedures to implement the main project to implement Tripoli International Airport, which has been stalled since. At the Tripoli International Airport construction site of the AENEAS Consortium, the Italian embassy in Tripoli reported that the ambassador ‘‘verified the encouraging progress of the works begun last February’’.
Source:Libya Today
May 06, 2024 13:37 UTC