The Media Office of the Mellitah Oil and Gas Company confirmed in an exclusive statement to Libya Herald that the chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, personally attended the restart of the Mellitah Oil complex. The closure resulted in positive results for the NOC and its cadresThe complex had been planned to be closed for 21 days but the major overhaul was completed yesterday in just 16 days. Finally, the Mellitah complex closure enabled the completion of the work to connect the gas line to the Zuwara desalination plant, so that it can be supplied with gas from the Mellitah Industrial Complex continuously and smoothly. In 2022, Eni produced 9.3 billion cubic meters of gas in Libya, of which 2.5 billion cubic meters, or just under a third, reached Italy through the Green Stream pipeline, while 6.8 billion cubic meters was allocated to the local market for electricity generation. Mellitah complex to shut down for three-week maintenance – Sirte Oil Company to pump alternative gas supplies (libyaherald.com)

EventAs of late May 18, the National Safety Authority is responding to a fire that broke out in the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli. The cause of the blaze is unclear, and there have been no initial reports of casualties. The associated emergency response will likely prompt localized transport and business disruptions in the impacted area. AdvicePlan accordingly for localized transport and business disruptions. Nearby residents with respiratory conditions should remain inside with their doors and windows closed until emergency personnel give the all-clear.

Economic discussions can serve as a valuable complement to the political process, aiding Libya's progress toward peace and a political settlement over time. Launched today, The Long Road to Inclusive Institutions in Libya – a Sourcebook of Challenges and Needs demonstrates how knowledge from various institutions and actors can contribute to a medium to long-term perspective in support of Libya's transition. By employing various analytical methods, such as phone surveys and nighttime data, the authors offer a distinctive contribution to the discourse on Libya's medium- to long-term challenges. “Developing a shared medium- to long-term vision for a politically, economically, and socially inclusive nation is vital to Libya's sustainable future,” he added. This sourcebook contributes to this goal, serving as a small steppingstone to help Libya advance towards realizing its full potential.

A liaison team of the Government of National Unity presented to presented the U.N. Envoy Abdoulaye Bathily a cooperation proposal in support of the electoral process today. The team, headed by Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs Walid Al-Lafi, briefed Bathily on “the efforts of the GNU Ministerial Committee to Support Elections and the various activities implemented in coordination with the High National Elections Commission,” according to the U.N. Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).

ISLAMABAD: The Federal government has posted Imdad Ullah Bosal, as the new Finance Secretary ahead of 2023-24 budget. According to the notification, the government has posted a grade 22 officer Imdad Ullah Bosal as new Finance Secretary. Bosal was posted as Special Secretary Finance division on May 3, 2023. Sources said that Hamid Yaqoob Sheikh will provide consultancy to international organizations such as DFID on financial matters. According to Finance division notifications, Saad ur Rehman has been appointed as Managing Director Pak-Kuwait Investment company, Tariq Mahmood as MD Pak Libya, S.M Amir Shamim MD Pak Brunei, Nauman Ansari MD Pak Oman and Hasan Raza of UBL as MD Pak China for three years subject to fit and proper clearance from State Bank of Pakistan.

In the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo, on Tuesday, May 16, at the headquarters of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Sarajevo Canton, a cooperation agreement was signed between Misrata Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, represented by its president Fathi Al-Amin, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Sarajevo Canton, represented by its President, Muammar Mahmud Fitch. Commenting exclusively to Libya Herald on the signing of the agreement, Al-Amin, said “The agreement comes in order to enhance economic and commercial cooperation between the two chambers in Libya and Bosnia’’. Bosnian delegation to visit MisrataHe revealed that preparations are underway for a visit of a delegation of businessmen from Bosnia and Herzegovina to Misrata for close discussions with the decision-makers at Misrata Chamber, as well as to visit the institutions, companies and factories in the city with the endeavour to organize a Libyan-Bosnian exhibition in the city. It is worth noting that Libya is a shareholder in the Bosnalijek Pharmaceutical Company, through the Economic and Social Development Fund, with a share of 6%. It will also be recalled that the Misrata Chamber was leading a delegation to the Bosnian capital’s Sarajevo Business Forum and Halal Fair taking place from 17 to 19 May.

“The stabilization of Libya is essential,” Italy’s Defense Minister Guido Crosetto told his country’s joint Foreign Affairs and Defense committees of the Chamber and Foreign Affairs of the Senate on Thursday. “So far we have achieved very little compared to the efforts made” in Libya, Crosetto then pointed out, mentioning the various missions that Italy will be engaged in Libya also in 2023, at both a national and international and European level. Among these missions is a “remodulated” Bilateral Assistance and Support Mission (Miasit), the Safe Mediterranean Mission, for which the naval device prepared for the fight against illicit trafficking was confirmed, the Operation Irini Mission, whose operational command will continue to be hosted in Rome and EUBAM Libya, whose objective is to provide assistance in border management. Italy, Crosetto also reported, is ready to play a role of “facilitator” in the reunification of the Libyan armed forces, where the conditions are created.

The company said in a statement that it will operate one flight per week to the international airport, which is located about eight kilometres from the capital of Tripoli. The company might operate more weekly flights to Mitiga based on demand, added the statement. Meanwhile, CEO of EgyptAir Cargo Jaser Hussein said plans are underway to increase the number of regular and charter flights to various destinations in Libya, such as Benghazi and Misrata, in coordination with the Libyan side. “This comes as part of the company’s plan to expand its air cargo network,” Hussein explained. According to recent figures released by the General Organization for Export & Import Control, Libya tops all African markets for Egyptian exports, with a total value of $317 million annually.

Further to the UNDP and Libya’s Ministry of Planning and Ministry of Local Government launching the Local Peacebuilding and Resilience programme in southern Libya on 10 May, the Director of the International Cooperation Department at the Ministry of Planning, Taher Al-Baour, provided further details on the project. Speaking exclusively to Libya Herald, he explained that the programme aims to build local peace and recovery for the residents of the south to benefit and improve services for nearly 400,000 Libyan citizens. Al-Baour said this programme is important to solve some of the ongoing crises in southern Libya, especially the areas that have witnessed multiple conflicts and unrest and neglect over the past decades. It is worth noting that the UNDP is working to establish sustainable peace and strengthen the local economy in southern Libya by supporting the authorities to provide basic services and create job opportunities for youth and women. UNDP launches Local Peacebuilding and Resilience programme in southern Libya (libyaherald.com)

The eastern-based Libyan House of Representatives (parliament) has suspended Prime Minister-designate Fathi Bashagha after more than a year of his appointment. “The House of Representatives voted by majority to suspend Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha, refer him for investigation, and assign Finance Minister Osama Hammad to run the duties of Prime Minister, in addition to his duties as Finance Minister,” said Abdullah Blehig, the parliament spokesman, on Tuesday. In February 2022, the parliament appointed Bashagha, the former Interior Minister, as the Prime Minister to replace Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah, Xinhua news agency reported. But Dbeibah refused to hand over the power to Bashagha, citing that he would only hand over office to an elected government. Libya failed to hold general elections in December 2021 as previously scheduled due to disagreements over election laws among the Libyan parties.

Updated at 11am with Muscat Facebook statementJoseph Muscat has denied wrongdoing in the wake of revelations that show how a company he worked for just after resigning from prime minister was linked to the hospitals concessionaire. VGH was the company awarded a lucrative hospitals concession by the Maltese government in 2015. The deal was described by the Auditor General as pre-arranged and pointing towards collusion by the investors and government officials. “I do not fear arrest… this is a frame-up,” Muscat insisted. READ ALSO: Joseph Muscat netted payments from Swiss firm formerly called VGH EuropeA concerted attackTaking to Facebook, Muscat called the reports a “concerted attack” by the “usual suspects”.

CAIRO – 17 May 2023: Italy’s Minister of Defense Guido Crosetto said his country is keen to enhance the horizons of military cooperation with Egypt during the coming period, a statement by the Egyptian Armed Forces’ spokesman said. In a meeting with Egyptian Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki on Wednesday, Crosetto extended deep appreciation for the efforts of the Egyptian Armed Forces in all fields. The Egyptian defense minister also affirmed the consensus of the two countries’ visions on supporting security and stability in the region. The meeting discussed regional and international issues as well as issues of mutual concern between Egypt and Italy in light of the military cooperation and trade exchange between their armed forces. The two sides also agreed on continuing developing the ongoing military cooperation between Egypt and Italy and expressed keenness on enhancing the historic and firm relations between the two countries.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan met Libyan counterpart Najla Mangoush in Jeddah on Wednesday. The meeting was held on the sidelines of the ministerial preparatory meeting for the 32nd Arab Summit. The two sides reviewed ways to enhance relations and exchanged views on the issues raised by the agenda of the preparatory meeting. The draft agenda of the Arab Summit was discussed at the ministerial preparatory meeting and draft decisions to be adopted were examined. The summit will be held on May 19.

CAIRO - 17 May 2023: Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto lauded the key role played by Egypt in maintaining stability in the Middle East and Mediterranean Sea regions. This came during President Abdel Fattah El Sisi's meeting with the Italian minister in the presence of Egyptian Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki, Italian Chief of Defense Staff Adm. Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and Italian Ambassador in Cairo Michele Quaroni. The meeting underlined the importance of unifying efforts to promote mechanisms for confronting trans-border challenges. The Italian side lauded the effective efforts exerted by Egypt in this regard, the spokesman said. The spokesman added that the meeting tackled means of enhancing military cooperation.

In the midst of the forever ongoing migrant crisis debate, a young student Mariah Debattista has emerged as a vocal advocate for compassion, cultural respect, and humanitarian aid. Invited together with three other students, Mariah, a St Aloysius first-year student encapsulating her profound sense of empathy. "I want us to help them, I don't want the Mediterranean Sea, as they say, to be the cemetery of immigrants," Mariah said. Meanwhile, Junior College student Jake Muscat spoke of the complexities of integration, cultural differences, and the importance of international cooperation in addressing such crises. Jake, who is JC Student Council President agreed with host Saviour Balzan that Malta should help immigrants integrate better into society.