Libya Security Highlights (19 - 25 January, 2026)

NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES

The Anti-Illegal Migration Agency, Al-Butnan branch, deported 39 Egyptian illegal immigrants. Major General Ibrahim Larbad, the branch head, directly supervised this operation. The deportation occurred via the Tobruk branch’s deportation unit. It also used the Musaid land border crossing. This operation is part of the Anti-Illegal Migration Agency’s broader efforts. Major General Salah Mahmoud Al-Khafifi leads these efforts. Their aim is to intensify security measures. They also seek to curb illegal immigration. Furthermore, they work to enhance stability within and outside cities. The agency’s media office issued a statement today. It confirmed that daily deportation operations will continue. These operations will be carried out fully. They fall within the assigned tasks of the branch and its units.

The Public Prosecution ordered the detention of two individuals from a criminal gang. This gang organized the illegal sea transport of migrants. Their actions led to the death of 59 migrants. The deceased were of Egyptian and Bangladeshi nationalities. The boat carrying them failed to sail. This was due to its dilapidated condition. It was deemed unseaworthy. The Public Prosecutor in Tobruk followed the investigation. The case involved arranging transport for individuals seeking life opportunities. They were transported from Tobruk shores. Their destination was the northern Mediterranean Sea. They traveled on an unsafe vessel. Based on investigations, the Public Prosecutor issued orders. These orders were given to judicial enforcement officers. Officers apprehended two members of the involved criminal gang. Enforcement agencies confirmed 123 undocumented migrants were present. They were awaiting sea smuggling to their destination. The investigator confronted the accused with facts and evidence. He ordered their pre-trial detention.

Al-Za’faran Police Station arrested two Libyan individuals. The station is part of the Sirte Security Directorate. They were engaged in scrapping activities. Electrical wires were found in their possession. The incident occurred at a site in Sirte. This operation was conducted under the directives of Major General Ahmed Adam Amaadi. He is the Director of Security. It followed instructions from the Ministry of Interior. These directives aim to prevent and close scrap sites. They also combat the scrapping of vital facilities and state assets. Necessary legal procedures were taken against the accused. This is in accordance with the law. The seized items were impounded. Deterrent measures have been implemented.

The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) branch in Amusaid announced a successful security raid. Amusaid is located in the far eastern regions of Libya. The raid targeted a warehouse in the Bir Al-Ashhab area. This warehouse was used to detain undocumented migrants. The CID’s Security Media Office issued a statement today, Wednesday, January 21. It explained the raid followed a meticulously planned security operation. The operation resulted in the arrest of an organized gang. This gang supervised migrant smuggling operations by sea. They transported migrants to European shores. During the raid, security elements found approximately 76 undocumented migrants. They held Egyptian, Sudanese, and Bangladeshi nationalities.

Investigative authorities ordered the detention of two individuals. They belong to a criminal gang. This gang is involved in smuggling undocumented migrants to the northern Mediterranean. The individuals were also implicated in manufacturing boats. These boats were used for transport. The Public Prosecutor’s office received information. It came from the Special Tasks Department. This information concerned an organized group. The group specialized in manufacturing boats. They used these boats for migrant smuggling operations. These operations started from the beaches of the Seline region. Their destination was the northern Mediterranean.

The Public Prosecution initiated proceedings. This was against a criminal gang. The gang is active in migrant smuggling by sea. Investigations led to the arrest of suspects. They were caught manufacturing boats. These boats were specialized for smuggling operations. The Attorney General’s Office acted on information. The information came from the Special Tasks Department. It concerned an organized group. This group specialized in manufacturing boats. These boats were used to transport irregular migrants. They were transported from Sileen area beaches. Their destination was the northern Mediterranean Sea. Based on this information, the Public Prosecution authorized a search. The search resulted in two individuals being apprehended. They were actively engaged in boat manufacturing.

The Public Prosecution ordered the detention of a Sudanese national. He belongs to a criminal gang. This gang facilitates illegal immigration. Their operations originate from Al-Quway’ah shores. The prosecution also ordered the arrest of other gang members. The Public Prosecutor’s office released a statement. It received intelligence on a boat manufacturing site. These boats were used to transport migrants. They traveled from Al-Quway’ah to the northern Mediterranean. The Public Prosecution supervised a search. The Special Tasks Department seized boats under construction. They also arrested a Sudanese national.

NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

As part of its ongoing efforts to address financial bottlenecks, the committee formed by House of Representatives (HoR) Decree No. (2) of 2026 held its fifth meeting today, Saturday, January 24, with Attorney General Al-Siddiq Al-Sour via video conference. This meeting is part of a series of consultations conducted by the committee, which is tasked with communicating with the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, its Board of Directors, and relevant authorities. The primary objective is to investigate the root causes of the country’s current monetary crisis, the worsening liquidity shortages, and exchange rate fluctuations. Furthermore, the committee’s work focuses on establishing effective guarantees for the regular payment of state employees’ salaries and monitoring legal and financial files related to monetary policy. Through its consultations with the Attorney General’s office, the committee aims to enhance oversight and investigate any irregularities that may have contributed to the deteriorating living conditions of citizens due to the scarcity of banknotes in banks.

Hana Al-Arfi, a member of the High Council of State, believes structured dialogue can lead to elections. This requires converting dialogue outcomes into binding legal commitments. It also requires providing internal guarantees. Al-Arfi emphasized the need for international guarantees. She made these remarks in a statement to Al-Masar TV. These guarantees should come via a UN Security Council resolution. They would support the outcomes of the dialogue. She also stated the importance of addressing the constitutional path. Specifically, this includes referring to a popular referendum.

Dr. Mahmud ُElforjani, Director General of the National Development Agency (NDA), confirmed in an interview with CNN on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, that Libya is now appearing in international forums as a partner in development and construction rather than a country in crisis. He emphasized that the current stage represents a genuine shift in the state’s economic and political discourse, signaling a new era of stability and growth. Al-Ferjani explained that the NDA serves as the executive arm of the state under the umbrella of the Libyan government, operating within the framework of Libya Vision 2030. This vision focuses on diversifying the economy and rebuilding infrastructure, including the development of airports, ports, and free zones. Furthermore, the agency is prioritizing investment in housing and public utilities while opening up to modern fields such as technology and artificial intelligence.
Minister of Interior, Major General Issam Abu Zriba, instructed the acceleration of procedures. These procedures aim to regularize the status of Sudanese displaced persons. This will contribute to their legal integration into the labor market. The minister affirmed this step is part of the ministry’s policy. This policy seeks to regulate expatriate labor. It also aims to enhance security. It ensures respect for laws. This serves the public interest.The minister discussed the regularization of Sudanese expatriates’ status. This discussion took place during a meeting. He met with Major General Faisal Al-Mahjoub. Al-Mahjoub is the Assistant Head of the Passports and Nationality Authority for the Eastern Region. He also chairs the High Committee for Regularizing the Status of Sudanese Displaced Persons.

The Head of the Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, stated this. Libya aims to consolidate peace within its borders. It also seeks peace with its regional and international surroundings. He delivered this speech during an official reception. The reception was held tonight at the Crown Prince’s Palace in Tripoli. It marked the 74th anniversary of Libya’s independence. In his speech, Al-Menfi reiterated the Libyan state’s commitment. This commitment is towards its people, friends, and partners. These are its partners in the international community. He affirmed that Libya is moving forward. This is by the will of its people. It is building a unified, stable, and sovereign state. This state respects the rule of law. It fulfills all its obligations. The ceremony saw many attendees.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

An American news report by Reuters has confirmed a new agreement. A Greek electricity operator has contracted with Libya. The goal is to contribute to modernizing the country’s electricity grid. Reuters noted a new development. The Greek company IPTO signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This was with the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund. The signing occurred in Benghazi on January 14. The MoU’s purpose is to prepare studies for modernizing the Libyan electricity network. It also includes digitizing the network and exchanging expertise. According to the report, the signed memorandum includes providing training services. These services will help modernize the network. The MoU was concluded on the sidelines of the Greek-Libyan Development Forum. This forum was also held in Benghazi.
The new edition of the Cairo International Book Fair 2026 features significant Libyan participation. This includes several universities and academic institutions. A selection of Libyan publishing houses is also present. This step reflects the growing Libyan cultural presence. It shows this presence in Arab and international forums. Ali Jaber is the director of Dar Al-Jaber for Printing, Publishing, and Distribution. He told the Libyan News Agency that Libyan participation is a national and strategic imperative. He emphasized it is not a marginal cultural activity. Jaber explained that the Cairo International Book Fair is the world’s second-largest cultural event. It is the largest in the Arab world. The fair annually attracts millions of visitors from various countries.
The official spokesman for Al-Kufra Municipal Council, Abdullah Suleiman Hamed, announced news. Representatives from a specialized Turkish company have arrived. They were commissioned by the Development and Reconstruction Fund. They will begin maintenance work on Al-Kufra Airport runways. Suleiman Hamed clarified the situation. This followed the airport’s announced one-month closure. Work has already commenced on the old 400-meter auxiliary runway. This runway previously hindered aircraft landings. It also caused damage to aircraft wheels. The completion period for this work is one month. He added that the Development Fund tasked a Turkish company. They will maintain the main runway. This runway has been out of service since 1993. The company has already arrived. They have surveyed the site. Implementation is expected to begin within three months.

Abu Bakr Al-Tawil met Fredrik Peterson. Al-Tawil is the Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Government of National Unity. Peterson is the newly appointed Head of the European Union Border Assistance Mission (EUBAM). The meeting took place this Monday, January 19. Al-Tawil congratulated Peterson on his appointment. The meeting was held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Tripoli. They reviewed the necessary procedures for his official accreditation. Peterson’s previous experience as deputy head was also noted. Al-Tawil assured Peterson of the department’s full support. The department is ready to overcome any possible difficulties. He wished Peterson success in his new duties.

The Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation in the Government of National Unity, Al-Taher Al-Baour, met with Nguyen Nam Dung, the new accredited Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam to Libya. The meeting took place today, Monday, January 19, at the ministry’s headquarters in Tripoli. Al-Baour congratulated the Vietnamese ambassador on his new appointment. He wished him success in his duties. Al-Baour emphasized the deep and distinguished relations between the two friendly nations. He highlighted Libya’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. This cooperation covers various fields. It aims to serve the common interests of both countries.