GHADAMES – Driving from this oasis town deep into the harsh desert, a conspicuous white concrete pole, about 2 ½ metres high, stands out among the countless giant electricity pylons that dot the landscape. Handcarved in the cement at its base are three initials: “L, T, J”. This is where …

The abduction of ‘Anoud al-Senussi, the daughter of military intelligence chief under al-Gaddafi, Abdallah al-Senussi, upon her release from prison in Tripoli raises serious concerns about her safety and the Libyan authorities’ ability to protect detainees held since the 2011 armed conflict, Amnesty International said. 

Production slumps as workers seize ports in protest at Tripoli’s failure to revive moribund economy despite bumper oil revenues

BOTTOM LINES • The Conventional Wisdom Is Wrong. Libya’s 2011 uprising was never peaceful, but instead was armed and violent from the start. Muammar al-Qaddafi did not target civilians or resort to indiscriminate force. Although inspired by humanitarian impulse, NATO’s intervention did not aim mainly to protect civilians, but rather …

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki yesterday announced the creation of security zones along the borders with Algeria and Libya.

In September, the Security Council expects to be briefed by Tarek Mitri, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), followed by consultations. The Council will also likely receive the periodic briefing by the chair of the 1970 Libya Sanctions Committee, Ambassador …

Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zidan has announced the launch of a national dialogue initiative to address some of the most important challenges hindering the country’s progress toward a pluralistic and transparent political system. It is the first sensible initiative taken since Qaddafi’s ouster to try to resolve the political paralysis …

The war against Gaddafi was won in a series of independent uprisings, leaving heavily armed groups — each with its own narrative of sacrifice and victory. Today alliances between Libyan politicians and these militias hearken back to the previous era.

Overview This week again has seen a mix of differing reactions and moves in Libya’s difficult political and security landscape as the crisis that has paralysed Libya’s oil exports in the east has continued with its wider agenda of separatism and autonomy continuing to play out.

Toppling Muammar Gaddafi created a security vacuum that the new government filled with former freedom fighters. Now the trick is convincing them to put down their weapons.