Marsad Libya Libyan Security Sector Observatory

The extent of Libya’s deteriorating security conditions is most apparent in al-Rasheed street in the centre of the capital, Tripoli. Russian and Belgian arms are selling briskly. They range from pistols to the much sought-after AK-47, globally known as the Kalashnikov.

The kidnap of Libya’s prime minister, Ali Zeidan, is a warning that Western powers need to do more to support the revolution they helped bring about.

Libya is back in the news. Earlier this week, the troubled country regained widespread attention after the sudden U.S. capture of Anas al-​Liby, an al Qaeda member and suspected plotter of the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Africa.

Tunisia and Libya agreed this week to bolster security collaboration in their mutual fight against terrorism and militant groups.

Abduction of Ali Zeidan by own security force points up divisions, with regular army and police units increasingly in opposition to powerful militias

Ali Zeidan was held for several hours by former rebel brigades who say they were working under orders from government.