Visa forms new Egypt, Libya & Sudan Sub-Region to accelerate digital payments growth
Cairo – Visa (NYSE: V), a global leader in digital payments, today announced the creation of a new sub-region comprising Egypt, Libya, and Sudan as part of its strategic growth plans in the region. Visa has appointed Malak El Baba as Country Manager for Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. Her expanded geographic leadership will allow Visa to leverage regional synergies, accelerate markets’ growth, and bring advanced digital commerce solutions to consumers and businesses across Egypt, Libya, and Sudan alike. Malak El Baba said “I am honored to take on this expanded role and continue driving Visa’s strategy across Egypt, Libya, and Sudan. About VisaVisa (NYSE: V) is a world leader in digital payments, facilitating transactions between consumers, merchants, financial institutions and government entities across more than 200 countries and territories.
Source:Libya Today
February 17, 2026 10:47 UTC
UN: Migrants in Libya Face Systemic Abuse, Violations
OHCHRGENEVA - Migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers in Libya are subjected to ruthless and systematic human rights violations and abuses, which include killings, torture, sexual violence and trafficking, according to a UN report published today. Those intercepted are often forcibly returned to Libya, where they risk facing the same cycle of abuse. Ending all forms of modern slavery, forced labour and human trafficking, and ensuring accountability for human rights violations and abuses are also crucial. The report urges the international community, including the European Union, to establish a moratorium on interceptions and returns to Libya until adequate human rights safeguards are ensured. Technical and financial assistance should be strictly conditioned on demonstrated, consistent respect for international human rights standards and should not proceed where such compliance is not met.
Source:Libya Today
February 17, 2026 10:30 UTC
Libya marks 15 years since protests that toppled Qaddafi
With a drone light show, fireworks and traditional songs, Libya was on Tuesday celebrating the 15th anniversary of the fall of former dictator Muammar Qaddafi. But public disdain towards Qaddafi's rule extended to his family, including his son Saif Al Islam Qaddafi, who was once seen as his father's heir. Saif Al Islam, 53, was this month killed – in mysterious circumstances – in Zintan, western Libya during “direct confrontation” with four gunmen who broke into his home, his office said. People attend the funeral of Saif Al Islam Qaddafi in Bani Walid. Today, post-Qaddafi Libya, a country rich in oil and gas, is reeling after militias vied to fill the void left by the toppled regime.
Source:Libya Today
February 17, 2026 09:27 UTC
Libya Port Project To Aid Growth
Libya’s $2.7 billion investment to expand its main container port, Misurata, is one major indication of the economic transformation efforts anchored on diversification to end oil and gas dependence. Together with the Misurata Free Zone Authority, the investors intend to expand the Misurata port, making it among the most operationally and environmentally efficient facilities in North Africa. Government projections show the expanded Misurata port generating about $600 million annually, creating 8,400 direct jobs, and supporting nearly 60,000 indirect jobs. The expansion of Misurata port is Libya’s first major PPP infrastructure investment outside the oil sector since 2011. Though the World Bank estimates a stellar 13.3% GDP growth in 2025, Libya remains heavily reliant on hydrocarbons, making it vulnerable to global shocks.
Source:Libya Today
February 17, 2026 09:19 UTC
LFB recovering funds in several locations secretly to protect the funds and process: LFB Chairman Addarrat
The Chairman of the Libyan Foreign Bank (LFB), Mohamed Ali Addarrat, affirmed that “protecting its assets and recovering its receivables abroad has been among the bank’s top priorities in recent years.”He claimed that “significant efforts have been made, resulting in the recovery of funds in several locations, while maintaining full confidentiality of the procedures to ensure their integrity and protect the funds under investigation.”In an exclusive interview published by the Arabic language Arabi21.com last Sunday (15 February), on the sidelines of a visit to Istanbul last week, Addarrat stated that “the issue of recovering funds is characterized by legal complexity and international entanglements. It includes looted funds subject to specific legal processes, funds frozen under international resolutions, as well as debts and investments dating back to previous periods.”In a related context, Addarrat emphasized that “any progress in the asset recovery process must be accompanied by a clear vision for reconstruction, as it is not merely about construction projects, but rather a comprehensive rebuilding of the economy.” He pointed out that “Libya has long suffered from a lack of genuine investment in infrastructure, which has led to the deterioration of vital sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens.”
Source:Libya Herald
February 17, 2026 08:59 UTC
Libya: 15 years after the anti-Gaddafi uprising, the country remains divided.
"The middle class has been virtually erased in Libya over the past 15 years, and I would say especially in recent months. Those who participated in the revolution and who suffered the most over these 15 years are increasingly less inclined to reflect on that date." Claudia Gazzini, senior analyst at the International Crisis Group (ICG), underlines "Nova Agency" How dates have historically served as a tool for political legitimacy in Libya. "It's only natural that February 17th, the date the 2011 uprising began, is also maintained as a symbolic moment," observes Gazzini. In a country lacking shared monuments and an institutional re-elaboration of recent history, the analyst states, "dates remain the only symbolic embodiment of the revolution."
Source:Libya Today
February 17, 2026 07:03 UTC
Ministry of Industry exploring establishing two-million-ton annual capacity “environmentally friendly” cement plant with China’s Goodwill Ceramic
Discussions focused on developing a regulatory framework to ensure the project aligns with national plans for industrial sector development and explored ways to overcome administrative obstacles to implementing this strategic investment. Localizing basic industries and enhancing national production capacitiesFor his part, the Undersecretary emphasized during the meeting the Ministry’s full commitment to supporting industrial projects that contribute to localizing basic industries and enhancing national production capacities. He considered such projects a cornerstone for supporting reconstruction projects and achieving self-sufficiency. Complete readiness to fulfil all procedural requirementsAt the conclusion of the meeting, the company representatives expressed their complete readiness to fulfil all procedural requirements in coordination with the relevant authorities. They affirmed their commitment to implementing the project within the established timeframes and legal frameworks in Libya.
Source:Libya Herald
February 16, 2026 15:10 UTC
Dbeibah discusses economic priorities with CBL governor
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah has held talks with Libya's Central Bank (CBL) Governor Naje Issa on what officials described as a set of “priority” economic and financial issues. The two sides also reviewed measures aimed at tightening regulation of the foreign exchange market. Discussions included the issuance of letters of credit for the import of essential goods, with both officials stressing the need to maintain supplies in the local market and prevent price volatility. They agreed on the importance of adhering to a previously signed financial arrangement to prevent further weakening of the Libyan dinar and to protect citizens’ purchasing power. Dbeibah emphasised continued coordination between the government and the Central Bank to support economic stability and the steady provision of essential goods.
Source:Libya Observer
February 16, 2026 13:40 UTC
Brega adds 20 fire engines to safety fleet
Brega Oil Marketing Company says it has taken delivery of 20 modern fire engines to strengthen safety measures across its facilities. Seven of the vehicles have been assigned to airport fuel depots after completing registration procedures with the transport authorities. The remaining trucks will be distributed to depots in Tobruk, Ras al-Mangar, Misrata, Tripoli, Zawiya, Sebha and Sarir. The company said the new additions would enhance rapid response capacity and protect lives and property from fire risks. It added that safety remains a central priority of National Oil Corporation, which oversees Libya’s oil sector.
Source:Libya Observer
February 16, 2026 12:47 UTC
Aldabaiba criticises corruption and mismanagement within health sector – calls on sector to reform itself in return for his support
He said ‘‘You’’ (doctors) in the private sector have plundered the public sector for money. He said the Health Ministry is full of hundreds of ineffective agencies and is unable to manage itself and is why many entities are run by the Prime Minister’s Office. He said many agents of medicine companies were working within the Health Ministry. He told the gathered they need to organise themselves, the private sector and the whole health sector – and he would stand by them and support them. PM Aldabaiba launches ‘‘100-Day Strategy for Health Sector Reform’’ – inaugurates over 20 health facilities across the countryTripoli PM Aldabaiba is well after undergoing ‘‘minor medical procedure’’ in Misrata state Heart Hospital
Source:Libya Today
February 16, 2026 08:59 UTC
Protesters block coastal road west of Zawiya
The Ambulance and Emergency Service has announced the closure of the coastal road in Zawiya city by a group of protesters, causing a traffic standstill. In a post on its Facebook page, the service explained that emergency and ambulance teams were present at the scene in anticipation of any emergency, to provide necessary assistance to road users, and to ensure a rapid response to urgent humanitarian cases. However, the service did not disclose the identity of the protesters or the reason behind the blockade, and no comment has been issued by security authorities.
Source:Libya Observer
February 15, 2026 19:25 UTC
How broken promises crushed Libya’s 2021 elections
BackgroundLibya Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, convened under UN auspices in 2020–21, was designed to end years of civil conflict by establishing a unified transitional authority and paving the way for national elections. His candidacy alone, she suggested, was sufficient to undermine public confidence in the process among large segments of Libyan society. When he entered the race regardless, the effect was not simply political — it was corrosive to the very legitimacy of the dialogue process itself. Without it, public faith in the political process — already grievously damaged — will continue to erode. Whether those lessons will be heeded in any future political process remains, for now, unanswered.
Source:Libya Today
February 15, 2026 17:05 UTC
Türkiye’s Cagri Bey begins operations for oil exploration in Somalia
Türkiye’s drilling ship Cagri Bey will begin operations in Somalia on Feb. 15, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar said, as Ankara expands oil and natural gas exploration efforts both domestically and abroad. We will send off our Cagri Bey ship from Mersin Tasucu to Somalia, and we will search for oil in Somalia. Naval deployment and logistical supportThe Turkish Naval Forces Command will provide security for the Cagri Bey drilling vessel. We will send off our Cagri Bey ship from Mersin Tasucu to Somalia, and we will search for oil in Somalia. The seventh-generation ultra-deep-sea drilling vessel Cagri Bey is one of two new vessels recently added to Türkiye’s expanding fleet.
Source:Libya Today
February 15, 2026 12:49 UTC
Prosecutor’s office concludes digital justice training course
The Public Prosecutor’s Office said its Centre for Criminal Research and Training has concluded a training programme aimed at strengthening the digital and institutional capacity of Libya’s criminal justice chain. In a statement published on its official page, the office said the course was held at the centre’s headquarters as part of its 2025–2026 second-quarter training plan. It explained that the programme supports the Public Prosecution’s vision for the digitalisation of justice and seeks to maximise the benefits of ongoing digital transformation projects within the prosecution service and the Tripoli Security Directorate. According to the statement, the training focused on the use of criminal statistics to enhance the centre’s analytical and forward-looking role, and to strengthen its developmental and community responsibilities. These include proposing appropriate security and criminal policies for crime prevention, reduction and control, as well as promoting inter-agency co-operation in tackling crime.
Source:Libya Observer
February 15, 2026 11:27 UTC
First time presenting credentials in Libya – A diplomatic memory.
Now, Libya was very close, very real, during a special trip: accompanying, for the first time, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt, concurrently accredited to Libya, Nguyen Nam Duong, to present his credentials in Libya. When Ambassador Nguyen Nam Duong entrusted me with the task of accompanying the delegation to present my credentials in Tripoli, I felt a mix of emotions. Ambassador Nguyen Nam Duong presents the Letter of Credence from President Luong Cuong to the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya. As the Vietnamese national anthem played, Ambassador Nguyen Nam Duong respectfully presented his credentials from the President of Vietnam to the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya. A street corner in the old town of Tripoli, Libya.
Source:Libya Today
February 15, 2026 11:13 UTC