NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
- Ahead of the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum (TMMF) to be held in Tripoli on 17 July, Acting Interior Minister Emad Trabelsi held a press conference at the Ministry’s Tripoli headquarters. During this conference he set out the Tripoli based Libyan government’s stance on the issue. Trabelsi said the idea behind holding the Trans-Mediterranean Migration Forum in Tripoli is for Libya to be the owner of the project. He said Tripoli’s policy is to establish four lines of defence to reduce irregular migration at the borders, desert, cities and sea. The Acting Interior Minister said his government has agreed to encourage the voluntary return of migrants with the European Union, adding that the Tripoli government will not use the immigration file politically.
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UN Deputy Envoy to Libya Stephanie Koury said she co-chaired the Security Working Group (SWG) emanated from the Berlin Process for Libya. “Along with co-chairs from France, the UK, Italy, Turkey, and the African Union, we explored ways to support Libyan security institutions and stakeholders in achieving lasting peace and stability,” Koury stated on X. “We also discussed steps that could be taken to support the Libyan efforts in unifying security and military institutions, building trust and reinforcing the ceasefire,” she added.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- UNSMIL said today that it is ‘‘deeply concerned by the arbitrary arrest and detention of popular journalist and regular government critic Ahmed Senussi on 11 July in Tripoli and calls for his immediate release. Stifling journalists’ reporting fosters a climate of fear and undermines the environment needed for Libya’s democratic transition. A thriving civic space, where Libyans can engage in open and safe debate and dialogue exercising their right to freedom of expression is essential. UNSMIL calls on all Libyan authorities to protect journalists and media workers.’’ Meanwhile, several NGO condemned his arrest and called for his immediate release.
- The Media Department of the Customs Authority announced yesterday that it has started installing and activating at the Ras Jedir Libyan Tunisian land border crossing the exit and entry system for modern cars manufactured from 2020 until the last class for the current time. It explained that the system aims to prevent smuggling operations and protect the Libyan economy from the impact of car smuggling. It said this comes as a step in line with the Custom Authority’s plan to automate all customs operations and use technology to facilitate the accuracy of their outputs. The Media Department of the Customs Authority added that this system will be installed at all land border crossings successively.
- The Attorney General’s Office reported yesterday that the official responsible for the treatment of Libyan patients in the Republic of Slovakia has been put on pretrial detention accused of € 4 million fraud. The health official is accused of administrative and financial abuse for the falsification of documents that allowed the health official to transfer € 4 million as treatment service allowances to patients who are not in his workplace.
- The National Development Agency, operating under the General Command, has signed an agreement with Turkish construction company TGG to develop the #Benghazi_Towers project. This initiative involves constructing three towers overlooking the 23rd of July Lake and the golf course near the sports city. According to a source from the agency, the complex will be located in the Juliana area and will consist of three towers: the tallest at 124 meters, the second at 84 meters, and the third at 68 meters. The tallest tower will serve as office space for various companies and commercial activities, the second will be a hotel, and the third will be residential.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, General Commander of the Libyan National Army, held a meeting with Nikolaos Garilidis, the Ambassador of Greece to Libya, at the General Command Headquarters. The meeting also included the Consul General and the Military Attaché of the Greek Embassy in Libya. During the meeting, Haftar praised the relationship between Libya and Greece, highlighting the development of good neighborly relations and friendship between the two countries. He expressed his gratitude to Greece for its prompt response in providing relief equipment and rescue teams to Derna following the damages caused by the Daniel storm.
