NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
- The Libyan Red Crescent’s Ajdabiya branch has recovered the bodies of migrants found along the shores of Al-Aqila, a remote area in southern Sidra Gulf. According to a statement on its official Facebook page on Thursday, the branch faced challenges in carrying out the operation, including a shortage of body bags and the lack of four-wheel drive vehicles needed to access the location. Despite these difficulties, the branch’s Body Management Unit successfully completed the mission with the help of volunteers from the Peace Brigade – Brega. The operation was coordinated with the Brega Public Prosecutor’s Office, Al-Aqila Police Station, the Brega Criminal Investigation Department, the Brega Emergency and Ambulance Service, and Sirte Oil Company.
- The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has provided 30 additional laptops to the eastern authorities in Benghazi. This development marks a critical step toward better data management and refugee assistance in the region. This came as a significant move to enhance the registration process for Sudanese refugees in Libya. The distribution of laptops aims to streamline the refugee registration process, particularly for Sudanese refugees in the city of Kufra. Accurate registration is essential for enabling refugees to access various support systems and services. Proper registration allows refugees to gain legal documentation, which in turn promotes their freedom of movement within the country. Moreover, it provides them with the protection and recognition they need to access humanitarian aid, healthcare, and education. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. For years, the county has been split between rival administrations.
- Libya’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has freed 263 irregular migrants from African countries who were held in inhumane conditions by a human trafficking gang. Walid Al-Arfi, the CID’s media office head, told Al-Wasat on Wednesday that the department’s Oasis branch had received intelligence about a warehouse where migrants were being detained in a guesthouse on Palm Project Street. Following surveillance and investigations, CID officers raided the location, arresting two traffickers and rescuing 263 migrants, all in critical health conditions due to torture and abuse. According to Al-Arfi, the migrants—originating from Eritrea, Somalia, and Ethiopia—had been kidnapped at different times and held in captivity for months. Some had been imprisoned for up to eight months, and among them were women who had been subjected to continuous sexual assault. One migrant reportedly died from malnutrition before the rescue.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- On Monday, January 27, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that 1,313 migrants were rescued off Libya’s coast between January 19 and 25. Among them were more than 160 women and over 60 children. Tragically, two bodies were also recovered during the operations, underscoring the dangers of the Central Mediterranean migration route. Since the beginning of 2025, a total of 1,806 migrants have been intercepted and returned to Libya. Meanwhile, at least 32 migrants have lost their lives attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean, the IOM said in its statement. Libya remains one of the most prominent departure points for migrants and refugees seeking to reach Europe. However, the instability and chaos that have plagued the country since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011 have turned Libya into a hotspot for smuggling and human trafficking networks.
- The Arab League has welcomed the appointment of Hanna Serwaa Tetteh as the new United Nations envoy to Libya, expressing confidence in her capabilities and expertise. Jamal Rushdy, spokesperson for the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, issued a statement on behalf of the organisation. He said, “We welcome the decision of the UN Secretary-General to appoint Tetteh as his representative in Libya and as head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The Arab League trusts her expertise in leading the mission to achieve its objectives under the mandate given by the Security Council.”
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- Libya and Qatar have signed an updated Air Services Agreement, revising the original accord signed in April 2004. In a move to enhance bilateral relations in the aviation sector, Libya’s Minister of Transport, Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, and Qatar’s Minister of Transport, Jassim bin Saif Al-Sulaiti, finalised the agreement, aiming to modernise its provisions to align with the latest developments in civil aviation. The updated agreement introduces more flexible and adaptive regulations, fostering increased collaboration and streamlining air travel between the two nations.
- On the sidelines of the second edition of the International Conference on Labour Markets held in Riyadh under the theme “Future of Work,” Libyan Minister of Labour and Rehabilitation, Engineer Ali Al-Abid Al-Rida, met with his Palestinian counterpart, Dr. Inas Al-Attari. The meeting explored ways to enhance cooperation between Libya and Palestine in the fields of employment and labour. The discussions included the activation of the Palestinian employment strategy through the Arab Labour Organisation, aiming to improve the economic conditions of Palestinian workers. The Libyan Minister of Labour reaffirmed Libya’s steadfast position in supporting the Palestinian cause, noting that Libya remains committed to the Palestinian issue across all fronts, particularly in areas of labour and development. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
- Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Energy, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, held discussions on Monday with Libya’s Acting Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Rajab Abdul Sadik, in Riyadh. The meeting focused on enhancing energy cooperation between the two nations. According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the talks addressed collaboration in energy technologies and solutions, as well as joint efforts to stabilise global energy markets in ways that benefit both countries. The Saudi energy minister also held separate meetings with Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Oil, Hayan Abdul Ghani, and Egypt’s Minister of Petroleum and Mineral Resources, Karim Badawi. These discussions centred on fostering energy cooperation and sharing Saudi expertise in energy efficiency.
- The Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA), Osama Rabie, welcomed a high-level Libyan delegation on Monday, led by Abdelhamid Moussa Awad, Chairman of the Board of Emaar Libya Holding Company. The delegation also included Idris Al-Habbouni, Chairman of the Free Zone Authority in Tobruk, and executive leaders from the ports of Benghazi and Sirte. The meeting, held at the SCA headquarters in Ismailia, focused on exploring avenues for maritime and logistical cooperation. Discussions covered a wide range of topics, including advanced maritime training, the development of ports and piers, modern fishing services, and logistical enhancements. Rabie emphasized the strategic importance of fostering strong bilateral relations and sharing expertise between Egypt and Libya in areas of mutual interest.
