NATIONAL SECURITY ISSUES
- Libyan Anti-Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances Unit has arrested four individuals involved in various cases. Among the detained is “A.K.”, a resident of the city of Marj, who was wanted under an arrest warrant issued by the General Department of Criminal Investigation and the Criminal Investigation Department of Marj Security Directorate. These security operations are part of ongoing efforts to apprehend wanted individuals and maintain security and stability in the region. Authorities have taken the necessary legal measures against the suspects to ensure they are brought to justice. The operations underscore the commitment of law enforcement agencies to crack down on crime and enhance public safety.
- Authorities in Benghazi have thwarted an attempt by migrants to cross into Europe from a beach in the Sidi Khalifa area. According to a statement by the Benghazi Security Directorate on Thursday, patrols from the Sidi Khalifa Police Station, tasked with monitoring the coastline, spotted a group of migrants trying to set sail on a boat. The patrols stopped the migrants, who were identified as Bangladeshi nationals, and found them in possession of fuel canisters. The migrants were taken to the police station and subsequently transferred to the relevant authorities for further processing ahead of their deportation to Bangladesh.
- Heavy clashes broke out on Thursday evening along the crucial coastal road connecting Tripoli and Zawiya, near Gate 27, a known flashpoint for militia activity. The violence erupted between two rival armed groups, intensifying tensions in the already volatile region of western Libya. Eyewitnesses reported that the fighting involved forces from the 52nd Infantry Brigade, led by Mahmoud bin Rajab, under the Western Coastal Military Zone headed by Salah Al-Namroush, and the 55th Infantry Brigade, commanded by Muammar Al-Dhawi. The conflict was sparked when bin Rajab’s forces attempted to seize a military camp controlled by Al-Dhawi’s brigade near Gate 27.
- Devastating floods have engulfed the Mansoura area in Idris al-Shati Municipality, located in Sabha, southern Libya, following intense rainfall that recently hit the region. Reports from local residents include urgent pleas for help as several families find themselves stranded due to the rising waters. In a swift response, Battalion 177 of the Libyan Armed Forces was dispatched to the area to assist in evacuating the affected families and provide necessary support. These floods coincide with the first anniversary of Storm Daniel, described as one of the strongest Mediterranean storms ever recorded, which left behind significant destruction and led to the death and disappearance of thousands.
- Six bodies believed to be from a shipwreck off the coast of Libya were recovered near Sicily, Italy, on Sunday, according to DW. The victims are thought to be among those missing from a boat that sank earlier in the week in Libyan waters, according to Italian media reports. The decomposed bodies were found near Sicily, located off Italy’s southwestern mainland. They were transported to Lampedusa, an island about 350 kilometres (217 miles) away from where they were discovered. The Italian coastguard had rescued seven Syrian men from a partially sunken boat southwest of Lampedusa on Wednesday. The survivors reported that they had departed from Sabrata, Libya, on September 1, with 28 people onboard, including three children. They said that 21 people fell into the sea amid rough weather conditions.
NATIONAL POLITICS AND SOCIAL ISSUES
- Brega Oil Marketing Company announced today, Thursday, the successful docking of the tanker HISTRIA GEMMA carrying 30,000 tons of diesel fuel at Tobruk Naval Base Port, marking the first time such an event has taken place in several years. According to the company’s media office, this achievement is the result of the dedicated efforts of the Board of Directors, working in collaboration with various technical and administrative teams across the company. It represents a significant contribution to ensuring the fuel needs of the region are met, while also stabilizing fuel supplies in the face of the challenges the company has encountered over the years.
- The Libyan Attorney General’s Office has ordered the detention of a former hospital director and key administrative and relations officials at the Ali Omar Askar Hospital in Sbi’aa, south of Tripoli, on charges of financial corruption. According to a statement posted on its Facebook page, the Attorney General’s Office received a report detailing the falsification of official documents that incorrectly claimed the receipt of medical equipment and supplies by the healthcare institution, and the improper disbursement of public funds. The statement highlighted discrepancies in the costs of catering services contracted by the hospital compared to the services actually provided to patients.
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Presidential Council (PC) Head, Mohamed Menfi, held discussions on Sunday with Rosemary DiCarlo, the United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs, and Stephanie Koury, the acting head of the UN mission in Libya. The talks focused on the nation’s political, economic, and military landscape and emphasized the ongoing efforts to drive forward the stalled political process.
INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
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The Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, discussed on Monday increasing the opportunities for scholarships provided to Libyan students to study in Canadian universities. This discussion came during a meeting in Dbeibah’s office at the Cabinet headquarters with the Canadian Ambassador to Libya, Isabelle Savard, according to a statement published by the government’s Facebook page.
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The Ministry of Transport signed a cooperation agreement on Monday with Coleman International, representing the US Department of State. The agreement is designed to fortify the aviation security capabilities at Sebha Airport, aligning them with both national and international standards, according to the Transport Ministry.
