The Joint Military Operations of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Ajdabiya has said that it is going to launch fresh military operations in the town’s suburbs against the so-called Islamic State (IS) and other jihadist groups. However, the town’s mayor, Salem Jadhran, has sent a message to the LNA …
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Statement on a Political Deal for Libya
The International Crisis Group considers the international conference on 13 December in Rome an opportunity to bring together a divided Libya through an inclusive political process. Under the co-chairmanship of Italian Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, it will bring together the “P5+5” group that …
Read More »Tensions in Sabratha over arrests said to be linked to IS
Checkpoints appeared in Sabratha today allegedly manned by supporters of the so-called Islamic State (IS) although there are competing claims that those involved are members of Ansar al-Sharia.
Read More »UN process only way forward for Libya peace deal: US, EU
Ambassadors to Libya from several EU countries and the US warned on Tuesday against attempts to derail a UN-brokered peace deal, insisting it is the only way forward.
Read More »The Prize: Fighting for Libya’s Energy Wealth
Libya’s economic conditions could turn sharply for the worse, as rival authorities vie to control rapidly shrinking national wealth. The struggle affects oil fields, pipelines and export terminals, as well as the boardrooms of national financial institutions. Combined with runaway spending due to corruption and dwindling revenue because of falling …
Read More »What the new UN envoy to Libya should do first
Martin Kobler has taken on the role of the UN secretary-general’s special representative in Libya, and he faces a daunting task: overcoming his predecessor’s betrayal of the country’s trust.
Read More »Picking up the pieces: Libya envoy faces tough job
Martin Kobler, the new UN special envoy for Libya, has his work cut out. The 62-year-old seasoned German diplomat began his new job on Tuesday after his predecessor departed under something of a cloud, leaving Kobler to pick up the pieces of the UN peace plan.
Read More »Warring factions in Libya show little regard for civilian life, says UN, reporting ‘gross’ rights abuses
Libya continues to be embroiled in political strife and deadly violence – with all parties committing possible war crimes amid multiple armed conflicts affecting several regions and contributing to a general breakdown of law and order, according to a new United Nations human rights report released today.
Read More »Mujahideen commander reported killed by IS in Derna
One of the leading mujahideen commanders in Derna, Colonel Mohamed Bughafir, was killed this afternoon in fighting in Fataieh district south east of the town, according to reports. The area, still held by Islamic State (IS), was hit by US air strike yesterday, with 10 IS militants killed.
Read More »UN envoy seeks ‘full clarification’ on questions of UAE arms shipments to Libya
The UN’s outgoing Libyan envoy said on Thursday that he will seek “full clarification” from United Arab Emirates authorities following reports of leaked emails that suggest the country was shipping arms to its allies in Libya in knowing violation of a UN arms embargo.
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