Education Minister announces new schools and staff measures
The Education Minister in the Government of National Unity has announced a series of decisions to establish new schools and add classrooms, aimed at addressing rising student numbers and improving learning conditions. The ministry said the measures also include staff promotions and adjustments to job grades for teachers and administrative employees across various municipalities, in a move intended to boost morale and ensure greater job stability. Officials added that the decisions cover employment-related cases such as returns to work and reappointments for staff who have gained new qualifications. The ministry said the steps form part of broader efforts to improve administrative efficiency and advance the strategic goals of Libya’s education sector.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 14:08 UTC
Record number of migrant deaths in Mediterranean for early 2026
File image of a boat washed ashore at Marinella di Selinunte, Sicily, used by dozens of migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea. (EPA Images pic)PARIS : The first two months of 2026 saw a record number of migrant deaths in the Mediterranean, despite fewer crossing attempts towards Europe, according to data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Another reason pushing migrants into rickety boats, charities say, is the shrinking opportunities for legal pathways into Europe. The EU border agency only counts people arriving at the bloc’s outer borders, “not the number of departures” trying to reach Europe, he said. The number of deaths counted of people trying to make the crossing is “well below the reality”, he said.
Source:Libya Today
March 19, 2026 13:36 UTC
Libya's Mufti criticizes continued prisoner detention in Mitiga prison
Libya’s Grand Mufti, Sheikh Sadiq Al-Gharyani, criticized the Special Deterrence Force for failing to hand over Mitiga prison to the competent authorities, warning that the ongoing situation raises serious concerns over detainees’ conditions and legal procedures. The Mufti noted that more than 160 prisoners in Mitiga prison have gone on hunger strike in protest against detention conditions and alleged mistreatment, adding that some detainees have been held for over six years without being brought to trial. He questioned what he described as contradictions between reported violations inside the prison and the apparatus’s public activities, including charitable initiatives. The Mufti added that the Special Deterrence Force has not fulfilled its commitments regarding detainees despite agreements with the government, continuing to control and independently manage the prison. He called on relevant authorities to urgently intervene to address detainees’ conditions and ensure respect for legal procedures and human rights.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 12:58 UTC
Libya gets a boomerang: blown up Russian gas carrier demolishes oil platforms — EADaily, March 19th, 2026 — Politics, Russia
The Arctic Metagaz gas carrier continues to drift and is being carried to the shores of Libya. He follows from Malta and, possibly, monitors the drift of the Russian gas carrier. The gas carrier is being carried south to the oil platforms of Libya. Perhaps a Maltese tugboat is following the Russian gas carrier. The Ukrainian attack turned the gas carrier into an environmental bomb, to which the coastal EU countries immediately responded.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 12:30 UTC
Istanbul to host Stratcom Summit for 5th time on March 27-28
A view of the stage at the International Strategic Communication Summit 2024 (Stratcom Summit '24), in Istanbul, Türkiye, December 13-14, 2024. (Photo via Stratcom Summit)The Stratcom Summit, organized for the fifth time by the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, will be held in Istanbul on March 27-28, the directorate announced. The summit will open with a session featuring Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz, Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, and several senior diplomats. The first day will focus on the impact of strategic communication on the evolving global order. The Stratcom Summit is expected to provide a key platform for discussing the role of communication in managing global crises and enhancing international cooperation amid escalating geopolitical tensions.
Source:Libya Today
March 19, 2026 08:38 UTC
Mohammed Al-Debib begins work as Higher Education Minister
Mohammed Al-Debib officially assumed his duties as Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research from the ministry’s headquarters in Tripoli. He was welcomed by the Deputy Minister for Higher Education Affairs, the head of the Libyan Academy, and several university presidents, in a meeting that emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation, advancing the higher education and research sector, and ensuring smooth and well-organized workflow. His appointment comes as part of the new government announced on March 2, which also included Mohamed Abdul Salam Al-Qariou as Minister of Education, Hosni Awaidan as Minister of Water Resources, and Salem Mustafa Al-Alam as Minister of Culture.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 06:40 UTC
Fire contained at Tripoli International Airport power station
The National Safety Authority announced that its teams successfully brought a fire under control at a power station inside Tripoli International Airport. According to the authority, emergency crews responded immediately upon receiving the report, with additional support from firefighting units in Qasr Bin Ghashir and Al-Swani. The teams managed to contain the fire and prevent it from spreading to nearby facilities and no casualties were reported.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 06:38 UTC
New Al-Ittihad coach arrives in Tripoli
South African coach Rulani Mokwena arrived in Tripoli on Monday evening to officially take charge of Al-Ittihad’s football team. Mokwena, 39, takes over from Khaled Ben Yahia, whose contract was terminated by the club’s management despite leading the team to the top of Group Two in the first half of the season without a single defeat. His departure followed criticism of his tactical choices and his remarks regarding the club’s recruitment policy. The appointment comes after Al-Ittihad activated the release clause in Mokwena’s contract with his former club, USM Alger. Mokwena previously coached Mamelodi Sundowns and Wydad AC, before his latest stint with USM Alger, achieving multiple domestic and continental titles throughout his career.
Source:Libya Observer
March 19, 2026 06:36 UTC
Liberty to Launch Cloud Analytics Platform at ISC West -- Security Today
Liberty to Launch Cloud Analytics Platform at ISC WestNew Liberty Air software transforms existing camera infrastructure into AI-powered systems without requiring hardware replacement. Liberty will debut a cloud-based security analytics platform designed to modernize existing video infrastructure during the ISC West conference held March 23-27. The new platform, dubbed Liberty Air, allows integrators and end users to add an intelligence layer to any IP camera compatible with ONVIF standards. In addition to the software launch, the company will demonstrate how its structured cabling, power enclosures and commercial locking systems integrate with the new cloud analytics. Company officials noted the platform is built to provide a centralized management environment while simplifying the deployment process for technicians.
Source:Libya Today
March 18, 2026 23:04 UTC
American held by NIA for terror plot fought in Libya, Ukraine
VanDyke, 45, is accused of leading a group of Ukrainians in a conspiracy to carry out terror activities against India. On his X account, where he has 5.84 lakh followers, VanDyke has claimed that he fought in Libya and Ukraine. He also directed a documentary film about Syria, and founded the “first military contracting firm run on a non-profit model” called Sons Of Liberty International (SOLI), it says. According to its website, SOLI provides “free security consulting and training services to vulnerable populations to enable them to defend themselves against terrorist and insurgent groups”. The six Ukrainians have been identified as Hurba Petro, Slyviak Taras, Ivan Sukmanovskyi, Stefankiv Marian, Honcharuk Maksim and Kaminskyi Viktor.
Source:Libya Today
March 18, 2026 23:02 UTC
Production at the Sharara field continues despite pipeline fire – production diverted via other pipelines: NOC
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced in the early hours of this morning that production at the Sharara oilfield is continuing despite the pipeline fire that broke yesterday. It refutes some media speculation that production at Sharara has been completely shut down. The NOC explained that the fire was due to a leak in a valve on the crude oil export pipeline from the Sharara oil field near the Bir al-Marhan area (kilometre 538) in Hamada. The NOC indicated in its statement that production at the Sharara field was able to continue despite the fire, after pumping was gradually diverted to the El Feel field pipeline to the Mellitah port, while the remaining portion was diverted via the 18-inch Hamada pipeline to the Zawiya storage tanks. The relevant authorities have immediately launched the necessary investigations to determine the cause of the leak, the NOC added.
Source:Libya Today
March 18, 2026 21:04 UTC
Fly Oya cancels Tripoli–Dubai flight amid UAE restrictions
Fly Oya has cancelled a scheduled flight between Tripoli and Dubai on 18 March, after the UAE suspended operations by non-national carriers at Dubai airports. The airline said the decision was beyond its control and that passengers would be updated through official channels. Earlier, the Libyan consulate in Dubai had advised Libyan residents to follow airline announcements closely, noting that a flight from Dubai to Tripoli had been scheduled for 16 March.
Source:Libya Observer
March 18, 2026 19:11 UTC
Fire breaks out in crude oil pipeline from Sharara field in Al-Hamada
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that a fire broke out due to a leak in one of the valves along the crude oil export pipeline from the Sharara field at kilometer 538, near Bir Al-Marhan in the Al-Hamada area, confirming that no human casualties were recorded. In a statement published early Wednesday, the NOC said emergency, firefighting, safety, and maintenance teams had reached the site and began handling the incident professionally to contain it and address its causes. The NOC confirmed that production at the Sharara field remains ongoing, after gradually redirecting flows through the El Feel field pipeline to Mellitah port, while another portion was rerouted via the 18-inch Al-Hamada pipeline to Zawiya storage tanks, significantly reducing losses. The statement added that the NOC chairman and board members have been in continuous session since the incident to monitor developments, while relevant authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the leak.
Source:Libya Observer
March 18, 2026 18:59 UTC
Water minister inspects flood drainage issues in Tajoura
Minister of Water Resources, Hosni Owaidan, conducted a field visit on Wednesday to several sites in Tajoura municipality to assess rainwater drainage problems, following reports received by the ministry’s operations room. According to the ministry, the tour included visits to the Daman station and Dawahi lagoon to review operations and readiness levels, in the presence of local officials, security representatives and ministry staff. The minister also inspected key flood-prone areas, including the Alhawiyat crossroads, Musa Kusa and parts of Al-Hamidiya, calling for faster intervention and stronger emergency response. He concluded his visit at the site of a pumping station under construction on the Jazeerat Asban roundabout, highlighting its role in improving drainage infrastructure.
Source:Libya Observer
March 18, 2026 17:06 UTC
KBR Awarded Project Management Contract to Support Libya’s Downstream Expansion at Zallaf South Refinery
HOUSTON, March 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- KBR (NYSE: KBR) announced today it has been awarded a contract by Zallaf Exploration, Production and Refining of Oil and Gas Company to provide project management and technical services for the South Refinery Project in Ubari, Southwest Libya. Under the terms of the contract, KBR will provide contract management, project management and supporting technical services throughout the EPC phases of the project. The South Refinery Project aligns with KBR’s long-standing commitment to advancing vital oil and gas infrastructure in Libya. Globally, KBR has executed more than 160 refining and downstream projects in project and construction management (PMC) roles, reinforcing its depth of experience in executing complex energy projects. Visit www.kbr.comForward Looking StatementsThe statements in this press release that are not historical statements, including statements regarding the project management work for Zallaf Exploration, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws.
Source:Libya Today
March 18, 2026 11:41 UTC