NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
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The African Union revealed that arrangements are underway to transfer thousands of migrants sheltering in Libya to Rwanda, based on an agreement signed between the Union, Rwanda and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Tunisian As-Sabah News reported. Under the agreement signed on September 10, 2019, the UN seeks to move migrants and refugees living in dire conditions in Libya’s detention centers to a location offering better livelihood. UNHCR provides support to more than 55,000 migrants in Libya, including 4,700 people who are “in urgent need of transportation for their safety,” according to a statement by the African Union.
- The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) has renewed its demand for the authorities in Libya to disclose the results of investigations into all gross violations of international human rights law and international humanitarian law, some of which amount to war crimes against humanity. In a statement on the occasion of the Internationa Day for the Right to the Truth, NCHRL called on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to assume its full responsibility for enforcing the law, preserving people’s rights, and providing justice to the victims. The first thing that justice for the victims is to reveal the truth
- At least five African migrants died and another 33 were missing after four boats sank off the coast of Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, an official of a local rights group said. Romadan Ben Omar, the official in the Tunisian Forum for Social and Economic Rights, said that coast guard rescued five migrants who had been on board boats that sank off the coast of the southern city of Sfax, and that they were in a bad psychological condition.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- The Libyan Presidential Council (LPC) President, Mohamed al-Menfi, discussed during his meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Libya, Mohamed al-Shamsi, the advancement of the political process in Libya. The meeting dealt with prospects for joint cooperation, advancing the political process, supporting the national reconciliation project adopted by the Council, and access to elections during 2023.
- The Libyan Presidential Council (LPC) President, Mohamed al-Menfi, discussed during his meeting with the Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates to Libya, Mohamed al-Shamsi, the advancement of the political process in Libya. The meeting dealt with prospects for joint cooperation, advancing the political process, supporting the national reconciliation project adopted by the Council, and access to elections during 2023.
- The General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, discussed with a high-level delegation from the United States the political situation in Libya. The meeting, held in Benghazi, included the US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, Barbara Leaf, the US Special Representative for Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland, and the Chargé d’Affairs of the US Embassy in Libya, Leslie Ordman.
- Ahmed Aboul Gheit , the Secretary-General of the Arab League, held talks on Sunday, March 19, with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Cairo. According to a brief statement by the Arab League, the two diplomats discussed the situation in Libya, Syria, Yemen and Lebanon. During the meeting, Bogdanov presented “Moscow’s position regarding each crisis, its developments, and the available opportunities for settlement,” according to the Arab League.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
- The Chief of Staff of Libya’s Western Region, Lieutenant General Mohamed al-Haddad, has signed a technical agreement with the Chief of Staff of the Italian Ministry of Defense, Admiral Cavo Dragone, to train the Special Forces of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU). This came during al-Haddad’s visit to the Italian Army’s headquarters in Rome on Tuesday in the presence of the Italian Deputy Chief of Staff Carmini Mazzello and the Joint Operations Commander of the Special Forces, Admiral Paolo Pezzotti, according to GNU Chief of Staff.
- The Chief of Staff of Libya’s Western Region, Lieutenant General Mohamed al-Haddad, has signed a technical agreement with the Chief of Staff of the Italian Ministry of Defense, Admiral Cavo Dragone, to train the Special Forces of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU). This came during al-Haddad’s visit to the Italian Army’s headquarters in Rome on Tuesday in the presence of the Italian Deputy Chief of Staff Carmini Mazzello and the Joint Operations Commander of the Special Forces, Admiral Paolo Pezzotti, according to GNU Chief of Staff.
- Turkey and Egypt have agreed to “maximize” diplomatic relations and “work together for the stability of Libya,” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told reporters in remarks published by Turkish media outlets on Monday. This comes following his landmark visit over the weekend to Cairo where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to discuss bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues on Saturday, March 18.
