Libya Security Highlights (August 19-25, 2024)

NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES

• The General Administration for Coastal Security in Libya announced the rescue of 51 irregular migrants near the coast of Qarabulli on Sunday, August 25. According to the Administration, the boat “Wadi Kaam 300p” successfully rescued the migrants, who hailed from various nationalities, after their boat came to a halt. The migrants were brought ashore at the Shaab Port Point, which is part of the Tripoli branch, where legal procedures were undertaken, and they were handed over to the Directorate for Combating Illegal Migration. Earlier on the same day, Coastal Security reported the rescue of 123 irregular migrants, who were on board a dilapidated boat off the coast of Zuwara.

• The Libyan Red Crescent’s Sorman branch announced the recovery of a deceased undocumented migrant on the beach in Sorman on Friday, August 23. The recovery followed a report by a local resident who discovered the body along the shore. Upon receiving the report, the Red Crescent coordinated with the Northern Police Station and prepared for the operation. A specialized team from the Red Crescent, accompanied by police officers, promptly arrived at the scene to retrieve the body. The Red Crescent emphasized that their role was to safely place the body in a designated body bag for transport, urging the relevant authorities to ensure the swift transfer and burial of the remains.

• In a recent operation, elements of the Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Department in the city of Tobruk, Libya, raided a drug den in the Jabila Sidi Younes area. According to the department, an individual identified as “A. A. M.” was arrested during the raid. Authorities confiscated 150 hallucinogenic pills and 12 bottles of locally produced alcohol in his possession. Legal procedures have been initiated, and the case has been referred to the Public Prosecutor’s Office under case number 2024/84 for further action.

• On Saturday, August 24, the Libyan National Army (LNA) successfully managed to liberate over 1,000 migrants, including women and children, from a human trafficking ring near the town of Al-Shuwayrif. This operation is a crucial step in Libya’s ongoing battle against organized crime and efforts to stabilize the country’s volatile borders. The LNA’s Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade carried out the raid that led to the liberation of the migrants. According to Colonel Khalifa Al-Abidi, Director of the Media Office for the LNA, most of the rescued migrants were of African origin, held in a large human trafficking compound in Al-Shuwayrif, strategically located between Misrata and Sebha.

• The International Organization for Migration has announced the displacement of over 5,800 people in Ghat in southwestern Libya, after heavy rains caused floods in the towns of Ghat and Tahalla. The organization’s office in Libya said that the majority of the displaced were hosted by their families in their homes, while others were accommodated in camps and schools, according to a statement on its Facebook page.

• The 128th Reinforced Brigade of the Libyan National Army (LNA) launched an attack on armed groups involved in smuggling and gold mining in the Kalanga border area with Chad. Sources from the LNA informed the Italian news agency Nova that the operation aims to strengthen control over the borders with Chad and Niger in light of the recently signed trade agreement in Benghazi between Tripoli and Niamey.

• Six people were killed on Sunday in an explosion at a military site in Tajoura, east of Tripoli, during a cleanup operation.  The blast occurred as mines were being relocated from the “Martyr Sabriya” Battalion headquarters. Among the victims were two Libyan citizens, with the rest identified as African workers.

NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES

• On Thursday, August 22, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani highlighted Libya’s critical role in ensuring the security of the Mediterranean region. In an interview with the Italian news outlet “Sussidiario,” Tajani underscored Italy’s commitment to stabilizing Libya and supporting ongoing United Nations mediation efforts to bring lasting peace to the country. Tajani called for urgent presidential and parliamentary elections in Libya, stressing that these steps are vital for stabilizing the nation. He also emphasized the importance of enhancing cooperation to address the ongoing challenges posed by illegal migration across the Mediterranean, a pressing issue for both European and North African countries.

  

• On Thursday, August 22, Libya’s Minister of Electricity, Awad Al-Badri, officially inaugurated the Al-Kuweifiya Central Power Station in Benghazi. This newly constructed facility, operating at a capacity of 11-30 kV, is strategically positioned in the Al-Kuweifiya area within the city. The station is poised to meet the increasing electricity demands of Benghazi, particularly in its coastal neighborhoods. The Ministry of Electricity has highlighted that the Al-Kuweifiya Power Station is fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology tailored to address the region’s growing energy needs. The installation of advanced equipment is a key feature of this project, aimed at improving the station’s efficiency and operational reliability.

• On Wednesday, August 21, the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) issued a stark warning about Libya’s deepening crisis, emphasizing that the country is on the brink of collapse due to escalating tensions between key factions. The analysis, published by the European Council on Foreign Relations, highlighted the growing friction between the families of Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, general commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA). Recent events, such as the closure of the Sharara oil field have intensified the crisis.

• The Acting Foreign Minister, Al-Taher Al-Baour, has discussed with a number of accredited ambassadors his government’s vision for political action. Al-Baour discussed the necessity of maintaining consensuses sponsored by the United Nations and the international community, in the wake of the House of Representatives’ announcement of voting to repeal the Geneva Agreement, which regulates the work of the executive authority (the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity).

• The Russian Chargé d’Affaires in Libya, Eldar Yafrov, participated in a briefing session organized by the United Nations Support Mission in Libya for representatives of the diplomatic corps in Tripoli. The Russian embassy explained that the Acting Head of the Mission, Stephanie Koury, indicated in her statement the importance of establishing an effective dialogue between the parties to the conflict, stressing the need for international community mediation in the Libyan settlement process.

• President Mohamed Menfi of the Presidential Council (PC) has emphasized the need to continue supporting the military to safeguard Libya and maintain its unity. Menfi’s remarks came at a gathering held at the 111th Brigade HQ to commemorate the 84th founding anniversary of the Libyan Army. In his capacity as the Supreme Commander of the Libyan Armed Forces, President Menfi convened with leaders from various military sectors, regional commanders, the Deputy Minister of Defence, and other senior military officials. The PC media office noted that this was the first meeting of its kind at such a high level.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• Turkish Ambassador to Libya, Güven Beğiş, reaffirmed his country’s unwavering support for all efforts leading to the stability of Libya, the unity of its territories, and the fulfillment of its people’s aspirations. This affirmation came during his meeting on Tuesday with Abdullah Al-Lafi, a member of the Libyan Presidential Council, in the capital, Tripoli. The discussions focused on the latest political developments in Libya and strengthening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

• German State Minister for Migration Joachim Stamp arrived at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli on Sunday. The minister was welcomed by Major General Mahmoud Saeed, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior and Deputy Director of the Department of Relations and International Cooperation. In a brief statement, the Ministry of Interior said the visit is part of the ministry’s strategy for international cooperation.