Russia & Libya Grill ICC Prosecutor At UN Over Action Against Israel, Cite Putin | 'West's Puppet'
Russia & Libya Grill ICC Prosecutor At UN Over Action Against Israel, Cite Putin | 'West's Puppet'Russia and Libya cornered the ICC prosecutor at the UN Security Council meeting, pushing him to take action against Israeli leaders over Gaza war. “What are you waiting for, Mr. Khan? Don’t you see the threats against civilians, the potential threats against civilians in Rafah and the massacre that would happen at any time?,” Libya’s UN ambassador, Taher El-Sonni, said. Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia called the ICC a politicized “puppet body” controlled by the West. Watch for more details.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 21:02 UTC
EUBAM and Libyan law enforcement join forces to strengthen land borders’ management
The European Union Border Assistance Mission in Libya (EUBAM) announced today that its Sub-Working Group with Libyan counterparts on Land Border has been officially launched. This collaborative effort, it added, brings together the EUBAM and Libyan Ministries to enhance the management at the Libya-Tunisia border. This will entail EUBAM supplying essential equipment and delivering specialized training for Libyan law enforcement agencies.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 17:31 UTC
Italy Is Playing a Very Risky Game in Libya
After cordial discussions, Meloni and Dbeibah signed agreements covering university exchanges, renewable energy projects, shared sea patrols and dozens of other coordination initiatives. For over a decade, in dealing with Libya’s fractured political scene, Rome has struggled to protect what it perceives as existentially crucial interests in the country. Rome’s efforts to navigate the complexities of Libya’s social and political landscape are frequently tripped up by toxic imperial legacies. The mass murder and starvation of hundreds of thousands of Libyans under Mussolini’s fascist regime has never been systematically addressed in wider Italian political debate. Yet despite today’s factional rivalries in Libya, fascist Italy’s acts of genocide there remain embedded in the historical memory of every Libyan community.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 13:46 UTC
Libya: UN Envoy Decries Continued Political Stalemate in Libya
UN News: You warned that the renewed scramble for Libya among internal and external players is rendering a solution elusive. At the same time, the war in Sudan has also had an impact over recent months on both the security situation and economic situation. UN News: While the political stalemate in Libya persists, the economic situation is becoming severely strained. Can you tell us more about the security situation there and in Libya in general? Unfortunately, because of the security situation, there is no hope that we can think of this situation improving in the mid-term or even long-term.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 12:42 UTC
Libyan Delegation Shines at UN Simulation Conference in Turkey
The Libyan delegation, consisting of students Taha Ragas and Amr Eshkal, made a remarkable participation in the HASALMUN United Nations simulation conference, held at Nisantasi University in Istanbul, Turkey, from May 10th to 12th. In this context, student Taha Ragas managed to convince members of the Economic Committee to adopt a resolution calling for promoting the fair distribution of disputed regional water resources while preserving the environment. Following the conference, the Libyan Consul in Istanbul, Salaheddeen Alkasah, welcomed the participating youth to his office to discuss the conference proceedings. He provided insights into the importance of restoring Libya’s role in foreign policy, emphasizing the significance of youth participation in such global events to enhance their capabilities in international relations and diplomacy. The participation of the Libyan delegation was appreciated by the organizers and other participants, who commended their skills in public speaking, negotiation, and problem-solving.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 00:18 UTC
Why Armed Groups Still Dominate Libya, 13 Years Since Fall Of Qaddafi – Analysis
Haftar commands the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, also known as the Libyan National Army. Although multiple armed groups serve under its banner, many operate under their own command structures and engage in their own raids and patrols across eastern Libya. “In today’s Libya, armed groups are the only entities capable of projecting power and maintaining territorial control,” Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute, told Arab News. Armed groups in Libya are often accused by the UN and human rights groups of committing war crimes with impunity. “Once corruption is addressed, further steps can be considered.”There are, however, multiple factors behind the Libyan military’s inability to rein in the country’s many armed groups.
Source:Libya Today
May 15, 2024 00:18 UTC
Three Libyan fighters killed in clashes with smugglers near border with Algeria
TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Three Libyan fighters of a military force based in Tripoli were killed in clashes with smugglers and drug dealers in the desert near the border with Algeria, the force said in a statement on Tuesday. The force, 444 Brigade, said the clashes "were heated and lasted for hours," adding that they "had thwarted smuggling approximately 5 million narcotic pills." The brigade has patrols in the south of the city and other towns combating smuggling. The footage also showed two suspected smugglers sitting on their knees with their hands above their heads surrounded by the brigade fighters. The message said the workshop included officials, specialists and security experts from 26 countries.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 23:20 UTC
UN Envoy Decries Continued Political Stalemate In Libya
UN Envoy Decries Continued Political Stalemate In LibyaThe outgoing head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged leaders to end their stalemate and bring the country back on the path to peace and stability, in an exclusive interview with UN News. At the same time, the war in Sudan has also had an impact over recent months on both the security situation and economic situation. (file)UN News: While the political stalemate in Libya persists, the economic situation is becoming severely strained. Can you tell us more about the security situation there and in Libya in general? Unfortunately, because of the security situation, there is no hope that we can think of this situation improving in the mid-term or even long-term.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 23:01 UTC
Libya asks ICC prosecutor to shift focus to Gaza
“Libyans are wondering what have you provided to us?” Taher El Sonni said on Tuesday during a Security Council session on the ICC’s work on Libya. "What are you waiting for, Mr Khan?” he added. Last week, two Republican congressmen introduced the "Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act" to sanction ICC officials targeting the US or its allies, including Israel. The Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC in February 2011 after a violent crackdown on protests against the regime of Muammar Qaddafi. During his briefing to the Security Council, Mr Khan announced a “road map” would see the investigation phase completed by the end of 2025.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 20:59 UTC
UN Envoy Slams Ongoing Political Deadlock in Libya
At the same time, the war in Sudan has also had an impact over recent months on both the security situation and economic situation. Today, Libya has gone backward. This is the reality in Libya today, unfortunately. Can you tell us more about the security situation there and in Libya in general? Unfortunately, because of the security situation, there is no hope that we can think of this situation improving in the mid-term or even long-term.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 19:21 UTC
Researchers find 'democracy challenged' in global governance rankings
Los Angeles/DNA — The world has taken a small step backward on the path of democracy since 2010, according to a global index being released this week by an international group of governance researchers. Los Angeles/DNA — The world has taken a small step backward on the path of democracy since 2010, according to a global index being released this week by an international group of governance researchers. The Democratic Accountability Index weighs the influence of citizens and institutions on governments. Other countries with some of the largest declines in the democracy index are Venezuela, Thailand, Turkey, Yemen and Russia. The 10 most improved countries in democratic accountability include four in Africa — Tunisia, Gambia, Liberia and Libya — plus Peru, Armenia, Bhutan, Iraq, Myanmar and Afghanistan.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 19:10 UTC
Why armed groups still dominate Libya, 13 years since the fall of Qaddafi
Haftar commands the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, also known as the Libyan National Army. Although multiple armed groups serve under its banner, many operate under their own command structures and engage in their own raids and patrols across eastern Libya. (AFP/File)“In today’s Libya, armed groups are the only entities capable of projecting power and maintaining territorial control,” Jalel Harchaoui, an associate fellow at the UK-based Royal United Services Institute, told Arab News. Armed groups in Libya are often accused by the UN and human rights groups of committing war crimes with impunity. “Once corruption is addressed, further steps can be considered.”There are, however, multiple factors behind the Libyan military’s inability to rein in the country’s many armed groups.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 18:17 UTC
Libya war crimes probe to advance next year: ICC prosecutor
UNITED NATIONS : The International Criminal Court prosecutor probing war crimes committed in Libya since 2011 announced Monday his plans to complete the investigation phase by the end of 2025.Presenting his regular report before the United Nations Security Council , Karim Khan said that "strong progress" had been made in the last 18 months, thanks in particular to better cooperation from Libyan authorities. "Our work is moving forward with increased speed and with a focus on trying to deliver on the legitimate expectations of the council and of the people of Libya," Khan said.He added that in the last six months, his team had completed 18 missions in three areas of Libya, collecting more than 800 pieces of evidence including video and audio material.Khan said he saw announcing a timeline to complete the investigation phase as a "landmark moment" in the case. "Of course, it's not going to be easy. It's going to require cooperation, candor, a 'can do' attitude from my office but also from the authorities in Libya," he added. "The aim would be to give effect to arrest warrants and to have initial proceedings start before the court in relation to at least one warrant by the end of next year," Khan said.The Security Council referred the situation in Libya to the ICC in February 2011 following a violent crackdown on unprecedented protests against the regime of Muammar Gaddafi .So far, the investigation opened by the court in March 2011 has produced three cases related to crimes against humanity and war crimes, though some proceedings were abandoned after the death of suspects.An arrest warrant remains in place for Seif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the assassinated Libyan dictator who was killed by rebel forces in October 2011.Libya has since been plagued by fighting, with power divided between a UN-recognized Tripoli government and a rival administration in the country's east.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 17:32 UTC
Ministry of Oil: 1.37 billion dinars oil revenues last April
The Ministry of Oil and Gas announced on Monday that revenues from oil concession amounted to 1.37 billion dinars last April, and these revenues include taxes on the quantities produced and exported of crude oil. The Ministry's General Department of Corporate Accounting explained that these revenues were collected from concession and participation contracts ConocoPhillips - Total Energy, according to the Ministry.
Source:Libya Observer
May 14, 2024 12:56 UTC
Libya Arrests Customs Officers for Smuggling $2 Billion of Gold
Libyan authorities arrested several high-ranking customs officials in connection with a foiled attempt to smuggle about $2 billion worth of gold. The detainees, including the director-general of the customs authority and the head of customs at Misrata airport, allegedly conspired with others to traffic about 26 tons of gold bullion, according to a statement on the Facebook page of the Attorney General’s Office. That would be valued at about $2 billion at current prices.
Source:Libya Today
May 14, 2024 12:22 UTC