NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
- Disturbing footage has emerged from Libya, showing the brutal torture of an Ethiopian migrant, allegedly by human traffickers in the southern city of Kufra. The horrifying acts were reportedly carried out to extort a ransom from her family. The video depicts the young woman, identified as 20-year-old Naima Jamal, tied by her hands and suspended by a rope. She is seen being mercilessly whipped after cold water was poured on her frail body. Her screams were met with indifference by her captors. Another image shows her shackled, surrounded by dozens of other migrants held in captivity. The detainees sit on the ground in a closed space, heads lowered, awaiting their fate or turn for torture in a dehumanising scene.
- Operation Irini, the EU-led mission tasked with enforcing the UN arms embargo on Libya, reported inspecting 401 commercial ships via radio calls and tracking 44 suspicious flights to Libya in December 2023. Launched in March 2020, Irini operates in the central Mediterranean under the command of Admiral Valentino Rinaldi. The mission has confiscated shipments violating the embargo on three occasions, redirecting the vessels to EU ports, according to the Italian news agency Nova. The UN Security Council extended the mandate for enforcing the arms embargo in May 2023 through Resolution 2733. The resolution authorises member states to inspect vessels suspected of violating UN sanctions in international waters off Libya’s coast. Nine council members, including the UK, US, France, and Japan, supported the renewal, reflecting continued international commitment to stabilising Libya and curbing arms trafficking in the region.
- British Special Boat Service (SBS) troops are under investigation for possible murder charges following the death of a suspected terrorist in Libya, the Daily Mail reports. The incident occurred during a covert UK Special Forces operation in the North African nation. According to sources, up to five SBS troops engaged in a car chase that ended with the suspect’s vehicle surrounded and shots fired, killing the occupant. The Defence Serious Crimes Unit has launched a criminal investigation, questioning whether the suspect could have been arrested instead of killed. The Service Prosecuting Authority (SPA) will determine if charges, including murder, will be pursued. This incident marks the first confirmed presence of UK Special Forces in Libya in recent years. The SBS operation reportedly took place two years ago, with the unit based in Poole, Dorset. The investigation highlights concerns over the welfare of soldiers conducting counter-terrorism missions, particularly in high-risk zones like Libya.
- The bombing of historic mosques by extremist groups has once again shaken Libya, with the latest attack targeting the Atiq Mosque in Shakshouk on Monday night. The perpetrators justified their actions with false claims of a shrine existing within the mosque, an accusation firmly denied by local officials and the mosque’s community. The Atiq Mosque’s official Facebook page issued a statement refuting the rumors, asserting that no shrines or graves are present within the mosque. The statement highlighted the mosque’s deep historical significance, being over 400 years old and one of Libya’s oldest religious landmarks. Recently restored by local youth, the mosque serves as a testament to the town’s rich history and has become a hub for Quranic education. Currently, the mosque hosts 40 students across morning and evening sessions, many of whom have memorized significant portions of the Quran. The restoration of the mosque was celebrated as a milestone in preserving cultural heritage and fostering education in the region.
- Out of 55,665 refugees and asylum-seekers registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), 4,700 are currently held in dire conditions in Libya’s detention centres, the African Union said in a statement. These individuals urgently require evacuation, protection, and durable solutions. In response to Libya’s deteriorating security situation, the African Union (AU), Rwanda, and UNHCR signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 10 September 2019 to establish an Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM). This initiative aims to evacuate vulnerable refugees and asylum-seekers from Libya, following a 2017 commitment by Rwandan President Paul Kagame and a joint decision by the AU, European Union (EU), and United Nations (UN) to safeguard migrants along dangerous routes.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- The Chairman of Libya’s High National Elections Commission (HNEC), Emad Al-Sayeh, has announced that the second phase of municipal council elections is set to begin at the end of this month. Al-Sayeh confirmed that the commission has completed all necessary preparations for the elections, adhering to the highest standards of transparency and integrity. He emphasized that technical and administrative measures have been fully implemented to ensure a smooth electoral process. He urged citizens to actively participate in this critical milestone, which aims to strengthen democratic practices in the country by selecting representatives for municipal councils.
- Several cities in western Libya, including Tripoli, Zawiya, Sabratha, Gharyan, and Bani Walid, witnessed protests late Monday night into Tuesday. Demonstrators demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, accusing his Tripoli-based Government of National Unity of attempting to normalise ties with Israel. The protests were sparked by recent comments from former Foreign Minister Najla Al-Mangoush. During a televised interview on Monday, Al-Mangoush revealed that her controversial August 2023 meeting with former Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen in Rome had been “pre-arranged by the government in Tripoli and its Israeli counterpart.” Al-Mangoush stated her willingness to face an investigation but clarified she had not received any formal summons from the Libyan Attorney General regarding the meeting.
- Taher Al-Baour, Acting Head of the Foreign Ministry, held a meeting with Ali Mahmoud, Chairman of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), to discuss the outcomes of LIA’s recent visit to the United Nations Security Council Sanctions Committee. The discussions focused on strengthening coordination between the Foreign Ministry and the LIA to support efforts in safeguarding Libya’s frozen assets abroad. Both parties emphasised the importance of effective communication mechanisms to ensure the successful defence and management of these assets. During the meeting, they outlined strategies for continuous monitoring and evaluation of the frozen funds to align with national interests. The collaborative approach aims to address challenges and enhance Libya’s stance in protecting its financial resources globally.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- The Chairman of the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA), Ali Hassan, held a meeting on Wednesday with the Pakistani Ambassador to Libya, Anjum Inayat, at the LIA headquarters in Tripoli. The meeting focused on the LIA’s new strategy and its investment plans for the upcoming period. Discussions emphasised enhancing economic cooperation between Libya and Pakistan, aiming to create mutual benefits for both nations. This engagement aligns with the LIA’s efforts to strengthen international partnerships and expand its investment portfolio. By fostering economic ties with key partners, the institution aims to contribute to Libya’s economic recovery and development.
- Member of the Libyan House of Representatives and the Arab Parliament, Hassan Al-Taher Al-Barghouthi participated in a delegation led by Arab Parliament President Mohamed bin Ahmed Al-Yamahi on an official visit to Bahrain. The visit aimed to present the “Order of the Leader” to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain. The honor is the highest and most prestigious award granted by the Arab Parliament. The delegation was received at Al-Safriya Palace by King Hamad, who currently chairs the Arab League Summit. The Arab Parliament delegation expressed their gratitude to King Hamad for Bahrain’s supportive stance on Arab parliamentary work. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the Arab Parliament’s role in advancing the causes of the Arab world.
- Taher Al-Baour, Acting Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Office in Libya, received Turkish Ambassador to Libya Güven Begeç in a meeting focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various fields. During the meeting, both sides emphasised the deep historical and strategic ties between Libya and Turkey, stressing the importance of joint efforts to strengthen partnerships that serve mutual interests. Al-Baour expressed his appreciation for Turkey’s role in supporting stability efforts in Libya, underlining the need to expand avenues of cooperation to advance development and progress. Ambassador Güven Begeç reiterated Turkey’s commitment to continuing its support for Libya in building a sustainable future. He also highlighted the importance of strengthening economic, political, and cultural collaboration to achieve security and stability in the region.
