NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
- The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Monday that 601 migrants, including women and children, were rescued and returned to Libya during the past week. “In the period of 25 June – 1 July 2023, 601 migrants were intercepted and returned to Libya,” IOM said in a statement. So far this year, a total of 8,496 illegal immigrants have been rescued and returned to Libya, the organization said, adding 780 illegal immigrants died and 944 others went missing off the Libyan coast on the central Mediterranean route.
- Security forces in eastern Libya have detained 237 migrants hiding in a farm on the outskirts of the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya, reports Al-Wasat. Al-Wasat stated that the security units raided a farm managing to “release” 237 illegal immigrants of Egyptian and Pakistani nationality, including more than ten minors.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- Six years ago today, the Libyan National Army (LNA) announced the liberation of Benghazi from terrorist groups. The victory was a major turning point in the Libyan Civil War, and it marked the beginning of a new era of security and stability for the second-largest city in the country. “Today, your armed forces bring you the news of the liberation of the city of Benghazi from terrorism, a complete and unambiguous liberation. It declares the victory of your national army in the battle of Dignity against terrorism, a victory from Allah Almighty,” LNA commander Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar said in a statement announcing the liberation.
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Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi, has been moved from a Lebanese prison to hospital in “critical condition”, Dubai-based Al-Hadath TV reported. Gaddafi went on hunger strike last month in protest at his incarceration without trial since 2015.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- Chairman of Libya’s Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, received an invitation from Russian President Vladimir Putin to attend the second Russia-Africa Summit is scheduled for 26–29 July 2023 in Saint Petersburg, the council’s spokeswoman Najwa Wheba told the press.Speaking to Russian news agency Sputnik, Wheba also welcomed return of Russian embassy to work inside Libya, which is scheduled to take place in August as per the announcement of the Libyan government on June 27.
