Looking towards mandate renewal of UN Support Mission In Libya
Thank you President, and let me thank SRSG Bathily for his inaugural briefing to the Council, and congratulate him on taking up his appointment. SRSG Bathily – you have the full support of the United Kingdom in the implementation of your mandate. I therefore welcome SRSG Bathily’s efforts to engage with all Libyan parties across the country, including civil society, women, and youth groups. First, the UK is deeply concerned by reports of increased restrictions on, and a deteriorating operating space for, civil society in Libya. As well as administrative impediments, civil society organisations reportedly face an escalation in the level and frequency of scrutiny of their operations.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 22:41 UTC
FG, IOM evacuate another 137 stranded Nigerians from Libya
Musa said that the 137 returnees departed Misrata, Libya on October 24 at 2.30 p.m aboard a chartered flight No. According to him, the 137 returnees included 76 male adults, 52 female adults, four children, and five infants. “The IOM under its Voluntary Humanitarian Return (VHR) programme in collaboration with the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Tripoli successfully carried out an orderly, safe and dignified return of 137 stranded Nigerians. “This is part of efforts to assist Nigerians in difficult circumstances to return home and reunite with their families,” he said. “So far, nearly 3,000 Nigerians were returned to Nigeria from Libya between January and October through the IOM’s voluntary humanitarian return programme,” Musa stated.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 16:10 UTC
Spatial Audio: XR Today Expert Round Table
Several key companies have begun exploring the addition of spatial audio with third-party solutions compatible with leading headset manufacturers, expanding freedom of choice for enthusiasts. That being said, Agora recently released data that found nearly half of Gen Z consumers have never even heard of spatial audio. Spatial audio is key for building immersive experiences as it can make or break something feeling as ‘real’ as it can. However, high-quality headphones are available as add-ons to support the spatial audio requirement for these devices. Ben Weekes: Spatial audio can already be accessed through many traditional applications.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 15:41 UTC
Dbeibeh bans his ministers from appearing in the media without permission
The Prime Minister of Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, has given instructions to his ministers to prevent conferences or meetings with media representatives from taking place without his permission. The announcement was made in a Dbeibeh’s letter to the Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs, Adel Jumaa. In the letter, the 63-year-old premier pointed out that these instructions come after some ministers have released statements to the press relating to the work of the government and their departments, providing journalists with sensitive information and data. Dbeibeh stated the executive decree is in force to prevent the circulation of data and information relating to the activity of the government or their disclosure except to the “supervisory authorities.”According to him, those who violate his decree will be subject to legal liability.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 14:32 UTC
Libya records 10 new cases of COVID-19
The National Center for Disease Control in Libya (NCDC) reported on Monday that 10 people tested positive for COVID-19, marking 5 percent of the infection rate. 8 people recovered in the same reporting period. The total recorded COVID-19 cases in Libya have reached more than 500,000 since the start of the pandemic, while over 490,000 of which have recovered, according to the NCDC. The virus has claimed the lives of 6,437 people in total. Over two million people received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while over one million were fully vaccinated with two doses.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 10:17 UTC
Russia deepens its influence in West Africa
With Wagner Group’s presence in #Mali, #Russia has continued to make inroads across the Sahel, particularly in Mali’s southwestern neighbor Burkina Faso. In the Central African Republic, Mozambique, Libya and now Mali, Russian military contractors have operated on the ground alongside local forces. Some African nations, including a handful of states in West Africa, have conspicuously backed Russia at the United Nations and in other forums as Moscow ducks international censure for its invasion and ongoing war in Ukraine. “Pro-Russian networks today are especially targeting West and Central African nations grappling with conflict,” my colleague Danielle Paquette reported earlier this year. “Among them are Burkina Faso and Mali, which both face fast-growing insurgencies and have endured a combined three” — now, four — “coups d'état since 2020.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 09:11 UTC
International Criminal Court prosecutor to visit Libya soon
The prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Karim Khan, announced an upcoming visit to Libya to strengthen cooperation with the Libyan authorities. Khan made his announcement in a press release from the International Criminal Court, welcoming the arrest of two people suspected of being involved in the smuggling of migrants from Africa to Europe via Libya. The matter concerns the extradition of a 38-year-old Eritrean citizen from Ethiopia to the Netherlands in early October, after years of investigation by the Dutch prosecutor, and another 35-year-old suspect of the same nationality who was handed over by the Ethiopia to Italy. The two are accused of brutal violence, sexual violence and blackmail against the victims.
Source:Libya Today
October 24, 2022 08:47 UTC
UN envoy gives insight on his meetings with Libyan crisis parties
Bathily said he will engage with all parties including civil society, women, and youth, as his priority is to identify a consensual pathway towards the holding of inclusive and credible elections at the soonest possible. "During my first week, I met with Prime Minister Mr. Abdul Hamid AlDabaiba and FM Najla ElMangoush who welcomed me to the country and expressed support for the good offices of the UN. I also met with the President of the Presidential Council Mr. Mohamed Al-Menfi and member Mr. Abdullah Al-Lafi, where I stressed the solution to the Libyan crisis must come from Libyans themselves." On the military and security track, Bathily emphasized the urgency of unifying Libya’s military and security institutions in my meeting with the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, General Mohamed Al-Haddad. Bathily is going to give his first briefing at the Security Council on Monday.
Source:Libya Observer
October 24, 2022 01:29 UTC
UN envoy urges to preserve ceasefire agreement in meeting with military officials in Benghazi
The U.N. Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily said Sunday he met in Benghazi with the Joint Military Commission’s (JMC) five eastern members and urged them to continue their efforts to preserve the ceasefire agreement. Bathily also held talks on Saturday with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), at the latter’s office in Benghazi. According to a statement by the U.N. Mission in Libya via Twitter, Bathily reiterated his “intention to listen to all Libyan stakeholders” and “reaffirmed UN support for a sustainable, Libyan-owned solution to bring peace and stability back to Libya.”Bathily also “underscored the criticality of preserving the ceasefire agreement and unifying the country’s security and military institutions.”
Source:Libya Today
October 23, 2022 17:01 UTC
The Sunday Read: ‘How Yiyun Li Became a Beacon for Readers in Mourning’
Yiyun Li has garnered legions of fans with her unsparing prose, writing extensively about her own struggles with depression and suicidality. Her latest novel, “The Book of Goose,” is no different, sharing the same quality that has made Ms. Li something of a beacon to those suffering beneath unbearable emotional weight. Alexandra Kleeman, also a novelist, meets Ms. Li to discover the secrets of her charm, her experience of growing up in China and her writing process.
Source:Libya Today
October 23, 2022 16:18 UTC
Bashagha discusses “supporting peace and stability” with UN envoy
Fathi Bashagha, the rival prime minister designated by the House of Representatives, held talks on Saturday with the U.N. Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily in Benghazi. In a statement via Twitter, Bashagha said he discussed Bathily “increasing efforts aimed at supporting peace and stability through Libyan consensus.”
Source:Libya Today
October 23, 2022 14:20 UTC
NOC shut down claims of oil smuggling from state's ports
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has shut down claims that crude is being smuggled from Libyan ports and demanded media to report with facts and responsibility to avoid misinformation. The NOC said there is no truth in the document shared online by several social media platforms. The false correspondence claims that the NOC is investigating suspicious circumstances surrounding the export of oil operations and its derivatives. The oil state-run company vowed to take action against "anyone who seeks to defame the time-honored institution for cheap political gains." The company underscored that it operates with complete transparency and professionalism to ensure the public and media have access to accurate information.
Source:Libya Observer
October 23, 2022 12:21 UTC
Dbeibeh seeks cooperation on migration with Italy’s far-right premier Meloni
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who leads the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, is “looking forward” to continue “meaningful cooperation” between Italy and Libya on migration and energy after far-right leader Giorgia Meloni was sworn-in as new Italian prime minister. Dbeibeh took to Twitter on Saturday to congratulate Meloni as the first woman to become premier of Italy and wished her “the best of luck”. I look forward to working together, enforcing our bilateral cooperation on the common challenges we are facing. — Giorgia Meloni (@GiorgiaMeloni) October 22, 2022Meloni’s Brothers of Italy took 26% of the national vote in Italy’s latest election. She began her career in politics in the Italian Social Movement, a post-war movement that rose out of dictator Benito Mussolini’s fascists.
Source:Libya Today
October 23, 2022 12:09 UTC
Bathily reaffirms UN support for Libyan-owned solution during meeting with Haftar
The U.N. Special Envoy to Libya Abdoulaye Bathily held talks on Saturday with Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), at the latter’s office in Benghazi. According to a statement by the U.N. Mission in Libya via Twitter, Bathily reiterated his “intention to listen to all Libyan stakeholders” and “reaffirmed UN support for a sustainable, Libyan-owned solution to bring peace and stability back to Libya.”Bathily also “underscored the criticality of preserving the ceasefire agreement and unifying the country’s security and military institutions.”
Source:Libya Today
October 23, 2022 10:29 UTC
Bathily to give his first briefing to Security Council next Monday
The Security Council will hold an open briefing session, followed by closed consultations, on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, next Monday, October 24. The Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, will brief the Council for the first time in this capacity. Council members are expected to welcome Bathily’s appointment after a lengthy and contentious process, more than a year after former envoy Jan Kubis resigned in November 2021.
Source:Libya Observer
October 23, 2022 01:05 UTC