PARIS, France - Libya supports South Africa's genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and is opposed to any normalization agreement with Israel, the foreign minister of the unrecognized eastern Libyan government Abdulhadi al-Hweij, told Maariv in an exclusive interview on Wednesday. "We support the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital," Hweij said in a rare interview with Israeli media. "We are members of the Arab League, the Islamic Cooperation Council, and the African Union. Libya-Israel secret meeting scandalHadji's strict anti-Israel rhetoric comes following the scandal involving his counterpart from the recognized central government, Najla Mangoush, who was fired last year after Israel's then-foreign minister Eli Cohen leaked the news of a secret meeting held between the two in Rome. Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush (left) and Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen (credit: MAXIM SHIPENKOV/POOL VIA REUTERS/FILE PHOTO, YONATAN SINDEL/FLASH90)The event, which had been billed as historic, created an uproar in Tripoli and a diplomatic debacle in Jerusalem.

Ongoing efforts by the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) under the leadership of Secretary General Abdoulaye Bathily, coupled with initiatives by Western actors and legislative discussions within Libya, have failed to achieve the desired resolution. At this juncture, the involvement of Turkey and Egypt could play a key role in reducing the prevailing division. On the other hand, given their different priorities and agendas, Turkey and Egypt could serve as catalysts for the establishment of peace and stability in Libya. Conversely, the Abdel Fattah al-Sisi government prioritizes the foreign exchange earnings of Egyptian workers in Libya and the potential role Egypt could play in Libya’s reconstruction phase. It should be noted that Turkey and Egypt are key actors in western and eastern Libya, respectively.

Scheduled for April, the Sirte National Reconciliation Summit is backed by the UN and the African Union. Othman Ben Sassi, a political analyst and former member of Libya’s disbanded post-2011 National Transitional Council, said that Libyans had lost faith in the reconciliation process. Mr Ben Sassi spoke after the abrupt cancellation of another reconciliation meeting, which had been expected on Wednesday and Thursday in the Tunisian capital, Tunis. Observers say there is no political will for reconciliation among Libya's political actors, with some benefiting from the turmoil. Ms Elwheshi believes that the only resolution to the country’s stalemate is a comprehensive political reconciliation.

FILE - This undated handout image provided by Greece's coast guard on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, shows scores of people on a battered fishing boat that later capsized and sank off southern Greece. The European Union’s administrative watchdog called Wednesday Feb. 28, 2024 for a change to Europe’s search and rescue rules following an inquiry into last year's sinking of a rusty fishing boat, the Adriana, carrying hundreds of migrants while traveling from Libya to Italy.

But on both Feb. 18 and Feb. 19, he said, WFP convoys faced delays at checkpoints, gunfire and other violence and the looting of food. As examples, he said, severe restrictions on fuel shipments are crippling water supplies and the functioning of desalination plants, with the water supply at only 7% of pre-October levels. Martina said the collapse of agricultural production in the north is already happening and in the most likely scenario will be complete by May. And as of Feb. 15, over 46% of all crop land in Gaza was assessed to be damaged, he said. And he said the war has also heavily impacted the harvest of olives and citrus fruits, a key Palestinian money earner.

However, he expressed optimism that Libya has the potential to significantly increase its output to reach levels comparable to those achieved in the 1970s, targeting a production rate of 3.4 million barrels per day. Ben Qaddara outlined Libya's ambitious plans to boost oil production, aiming to reach a target of two million barrels per day within the next three to five years. He highlighted that despite the current production levels, only 25 percent of the capacity of the pipeline used to export natural gas from Libya to Italy is currently being utilized. He expressed optimism regarding the participation of major international companies in this upcoming round, signaling potential opportunities for investment and exploration in Libya's oil sector. In addition to focusing on traditional oil production, Ben Qaddara disclosed that the National Oil Corporation is exploring the possibility of diversifying Libya's energy sources.

The federal government, in collaboration with the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), successfully repatriated another batch of 147 irregular Nigerian migrants stranded in Libya on Tuesday. Kabiru Musa, Charge d’Affaires En Titre of the Nigerian Mission in Libya, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday. Mr Musa said the evacuees who departed Tripoli International Airport on Tuesday aboard chartered flight UZ 189 were expected to arrive at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, in the evening of the same day. “Under the continuous evacuation exercise of the Federal Government, which is supported by the IOM in Libya, We successfully evacuated another batch of 147 irregular Nigerian migrants who were stranded in Libya. They departed Libya successfully and are expected to arrive at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, where they will be received by relevant officials.

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The members of the Security Council called upon the international community to fully support the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UNSMIL in the implementation of their mandate. The members of the Security Council reinforced the importance of making concrete progress on the security, economic, political, and international humanitarian law and human rights tracks. The Security Council further emphasized the importance of providing a safe environment for civil society organizations to work freely and to protect them from threats and reprisals. The members of the Security Council reiterated their strong support to Libya’s sovereignty, independence, territorial integrity and national unity. The members of the Security Council reiterated their call for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya without delay, in line with the provisions of the 23 October 2020 ceasefire agreement and Security Council resolutions 2701 (2023) and 2702 (2023).

AdvertismentLibya's Digital Leap ForwardLibya, with its first digital licensing round in two decades, is opening up its energy sector to international investors like never before. Global Implications and ExpectationsThe digital transformation in the energy sectors of Libya and Jordan signifies a broader trend of leveraging technology to enhance economic development and attract global investment. This shift towards digital solutions is driven by the need for transparency, efficiency, and alignment with global digital trends. As Libya and Jordan pave the way with their digital initiatives, the implications for the global energy market are profound. As more countries observe the benefits of such initiatives, the shift towards digital solutions in the energy sector may become a global trend, reshaping investment landscapes worldwide.

Sudan's army chief, general Al-Burhan, was hosted Monday (Feb.26) by the head of Libya's presidential council. Libya's Al Menfi commended the Jeddah deal which gave a short lived ceasefire at the start of the war in Sudan. In 2018, Sudan, Libya, Chad and Niger agreed to control and monitor joint borders. Libya has always had honorable stances towards Sudan and the Sudanese people," General Abdel-Fattah Burhan said during a briefing after his meeting. It was reported after the onset of the conflict, that the paramilitary of general Hamdane Daglo received weapons through eastern Libya where a rival administration operates.

- Libya holds Africa's largest crude reserves, but years of conflict has hobbled production, exportsThe Petroleum Facilities Guards (PFG) reopened the country’s oilfields on Monday after suspending their strike. The move came one day after the PFG shut down oil facilities in the country in a dispute over pay. “The PFG members ended their protest after Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh fulfilled his promises,” PFG head Abdul Razzaq al-Khurmani told Anadolu. The PFG members demanded a pay raise for its members and the disbursement of bonuses similar to employees of the country's state-run National Oil Corporation. Libya holds Africa's largest crude reserves, but years of conflict and violence since the 2011 ouster of ruler Muammar Gaddafi have hobbled production and exports.

An Italian court has issued a ruling preventing the return of refugees and migrants to Libya in a significant development. The militias, reportedly aided by Libya’s Europe-backed coastguard, intercept refugees and migrants, holding them captive in coastal prisons where they face torture and abuse. Italy’s highest court recently upheld a ruling preventing Italian vessels from returning rescued refugees to Libya, signaling a divergence between the legal system and the political establishment’s support for Libyan militias. The court’s decision aligns with the longstanding assertion that Libya is not a safe place for refugees and migrants. However, the recent court ruling emphasizes the unsuitability of Libya as a safe disembarkation point for rescued individuals.

The same source he added, the meeting will try to approve the formation of a new government and then call elections eight months after the choice of the unified executive. This approach, however, is contrary to the official line of the President of the State Council, Mohammed Takala: “Elections should be done on the basis of laws agreed by all parties. First let's make the laws for the elections, then we can also agree on a government of national unity", Takala said in an interview granted to "Agenzia Nova" on February 22nd. In October, however, the Eastern House of Representatives ratified the electoral laws with some changes later rejected by the High Council. Read also other news on Nova NewsClick here and receive updates on WhatsAppFollow us on the social channels of Nova News on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, Telegram

In a landmark ruling, Italy's highest court has declared it illegal to return sea migrants to Libya, shining a spotlight on the grave human rights abuses they endure. These groups, sometimes in collusion with the Libyan coastguard, have been implicated in a series of human rights violations, including torture, ransom demands, and sexual violence against migrants. Human rights organizations and charities have hailed the decision, emphasizing the need for a humane and lawful approach to migration that respects the dignity and rights of all individuals. Refugees and Migrants' Determination to Reach EuropeDespite the ruling, the dreams and determination of refugees and migrants in Tunisia remain undeterred. The recent court decision not only sheds light on the dire situation in Libya but also raises critical questions about the future of European migration policies.