Latest news with #Tripoli-based
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
UN mission in Libya urges immediate de-escalation in Tripoli
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TRIPOLI - The U.N. Mission in Libya urged on Wednesday all Libyan parties to avoid actions or political rhetoric that could trigger escalation or renewed clashes in Tripoli, following reports of continued military buildup in and around the city. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah ordered in May the dismantling of what he called irregular armed groups, which was followed by Tripoli's fiercest clashes in years between two armed groups that killed at least eight civilians. "The Mission continues its efforts to help de-escalate the situation and calls on all parties to engage in good faith towards this end ... Forces recently deployed in Tripoli must withdraw without delay," the U.N. Mission said on social media. A Tripoli-based Government of National Unity under al-Dbeibah was installed through a U.N.-backed process in 2021 but the Benghazi-based House of Representatives no longer recognises its legitimacy. Libya has had little stability since a 2011 NATO-backed uprising ousted longtime autocrat Muammar Gaddafi. The country split in 2014 between rival eastern and western factions, though an outbreak of major warfare paused with a truce in 2020. While eastern Libya has been dominated for a decade by commander Khalifa Haftar and his Libyan National Army, control in Tripoli and western Libya has been splintered among numerous armed factions. REUTERS
Libya Review
03-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
EU Migration Chief Plans Urgent Libya Visit
Magnus Brunner, the European Union Commissioner for Migration, announced that Libya is now a top priority on the EU's agenda. He revealed plans to visit the North African country next week, amid growing concerns over the increase in irregular migration across the Mediterranean. Brunner emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that Europe must act quickly and decisively. 'We need to be fast and firm with the Libyan authorities after the sharp rise in migration via the Mediterranean,' he said, underlining the EU's commitment to tackling the issue head-on. During his upcoming visit, Brunner will hold meetings with representatives from both rival governments in Libya — the Tripoli-based administration in the west and the eastern authority aligned with the Libyan National Army. The EU recognises the need to engage with all key stakeholders to establish effective migration controls. The EU Commissioner also confirmed that the United Nations is involved in coordinating these efforts. His discussions will focus on improving cooperation on migration management, supporting border surveillance, and addressing the root causes of migration. Libya remains a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, often risking their lives in dangerous sea crossings. The EU has been under pressure to boost its partnerships with North African countries, especially as geopolitical tensions and economic hardships continue to fuel migration flows. Brunner's visit is seen as a step towards re-establishing a structured dialogue with Libyan authorities and reaffirming the EU's role in stabilising the region. His engagementsEU Migration Chief Plans Urgent Libya Visit EU Migration Chief to Visit Libya Brunner to Meet Libyan Authorities Over Mediterranean Migration European Commissioner Pushes for Rapid Migration Action in Libya EU Eyes Stronger Ties With Libya to Curb Migration Magnus Brunner, the European Union Commissioner for Migration, announced that Libya is now a top priority on the EU's agenda. He revealed plans to visit the North African country next week, amid growing concerns over the increase in irregular migration across the Mediterranean. Brunner emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that Europe must act quickly and decisively. 'We need to be fast and firm with the Libyan authorities after the sharp rise in migration via the Mediterranean,' he said, underlining the EU's commitment to tackling the issue head-on. During his upcoming visit, Brunner will hold meetings with representatives from both rival governments in Libya — the Tripoli-based administration in the west and the eastern authority aligned with the Libyan National Army. The EU recognises the need to engage with all key stakeholders to establish effective migration controls. The EU Commissioner also confirmed that the United Nations is involved in coordinating these efforts. His discussions will focus on improving cooperation on migration management, supporting border surveillance, and addressing the root causes of migration. Libya remains a major departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe, often risking their lives in dangerous sea crossings. The EU has been under pressure to boost its partnerships with North African countries, especially as geopolitical tensions and economic hardships continue to fuel migration flows. Brunner's visit is seen as a step towards re-establishing a structured dialogue with Libyan authorities and reaffirming the EU's role in stabilising the region. His engagements will aim to foster mutual accountability and support international efforts to manage migration more effectively. will aim to foster mutual accountability and support international efforts to manage migration more effectively. Tags: eulibyaMediterraneanmigration
Libya Observer
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Hamad restricts movement of international missions after UN criticism of Reconstruction Fund
The Prime Minister of the eastern-based parallel government in Libya, Osama Hamad, has issued a decree banning the movement and activities of international missions and diplomats within Libyan territory unless prior coordination is made with official authorities and approval is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The decision specifically targets the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), restricting the movements of its head, staff, and members in areas controlled by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar. It follows Hamad's call for the mission to leave the country immediately, accusing it of bias toward the Tripoli-based authorities, overlooking their violations, and undermining national will and deepening internal division. These measures were taken in response to a recent briefing by UN envoy Hanna Tetteh before the UN Security Council. In her address, Tetteh criticized the Libyan House of Representatives for approving a 69-billion Libyan dinar budget for the Development and Reconstruction Fund, which is managed by Belqasim Haftar, the son of Khalifa Haftar. Tags: parallel Government
Libya Review
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libyans Demand UN Mission Exit Over Political Paralysis
The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is facing mounting criticism from the Libyan public, who increasingly view its presence as an obstacle rather than a catalyst for political progress. A recent investigation by Libyan Express revealed deep dissatisfaction among citizens regarding UNSMIL's effectiveness, according to Italy's Agenzia Nova. Many accuse the mission of being disconnected from Libya's realities, with no visible improvements in daily life or governance. Public anger came to a head during recent protests outside UNSMIL's headquarters in Tripoli, where demonstrators called for the mission's immediate departure. Protester Ramadan Khaled told reporters, 'The UN mission is part of the problem, not the solution. It must change course or leave.' Another citizen, Fawziya Ben Ali, criticised the mission's activities as limited to 'endless meetings, foreign trips, and statements that achieve nothing.' Political analyst Dr Ibrahim Mohammed echoed these concerns, noting the lack of innovation and clear timelines in the mission's proposals. UNSMIL recently announced the creation of a 20-member Libyan advisory committee, claiming it would provide a national voice for future political solutions. The committee's recommendations were made public in May. However, many Libyans see this as an insufficient gesture in the face of a deepening crisis. The country remains polarised between two rival governments: the Tripoli-based GNU led by Abdulhamid Dbaiba , and the eastern administration led by Osama Hammad, appointed by the House of Representatives. In this context, public trust in UNSMIL appears to be eroding rapidly. Libyans are calling for concrete action, a clear political roadmap, and international support that truly reflects their aspirations for sovereignty, elections, and democratic transition. Tags: libyaLibyan Crisistripoliununsmil
Libyan Express
26-06-2025
- Business
- Libyan Express
Libya and Turkey sign offshore energy deal
BY Libyan Express Jun 26, 2025 - 06:13 NOC and TPAO ink exploration agreement as tensions rise in eastern Mediterranean Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), paving the way for offshore oil and gas exploration in Libyan waters. The agreement was formalised in Istanbul by NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman and TPAO Director Ahmet Türkoğlu. According to a statement issued by the NOC, Turkish Petroleum will undertake extensive geological and geophysical studies across four offshore areas deemed to have strong exploration potential. As part of the MoU, a two-dimensional seismic survey will be conducted, covering an estimated 10,000 kilometres. The data collected will then be processed in detail, with the entire programme expected to be completed within nine months. The deal comes at a time of renewed maritime tensions between Libya and Greece. Just days earlier, Libya's Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) summoned the Greek ambassador, Nikolaos Garilidis, to protest what it described as Athens' 'unilateral actions' in contested maritime zones. The move followed an announcement by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis that naval vessels would be deployed to international waters off the Libyan coast. He described the operation as a 'precautionary measure' aimed at monitoring irregular migration, and claimed it would be carried out 'in coordination with Libyan authorities and other European forces'. 'Smugglers will not dictate who enters our country,' Mitsotakis stated. Both the GNU and Libya's rival eastern-based administration have issued strong objections to Greece's recent international tenders for hydrocarbon exploration south of Crete, arguing that parts of the designated areas fall within Libya's undelimited maritime jurisdiction and sovereign rights. The agreement between the NOC and TPAO is likely to add further complexity to already fraught regional maritime relations, particularly in the eastern Mediterranean, where longstanding disputes over energy rights and territorial waters persist. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
