Headlines Libya

Faiez Serraj hands over power to new interim authorities

The head of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Faiez Serraj handed over power Tuesday to the new leaders of the oil-rich country tasked with holding elections end of this year. Serraj met in Tripoli with the new Presidential Council Head, Mohammed Menfi, and the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity, Abdul-Hamid […]

Headlines Libya

Forces loyal to Haftar clash in Sirte

Rival Libyan armed groups loyal to east-based war lord Khalifa Haftar have clashed in the coastal city of Sirte, Anadolu news agency reports citing military sources. The armed clash occurred Tuesday after forces from the Tariq bin Ziyad Brigade launched an attack on the main headquarters of Al-Kaniyat Brigade in Sirte, the military sources told […]

Asia Headlines International Libya

Libya: GNA Defense Minister pays controversial visit to Turkey

The visit to Ankara last Sunday by the Libyan Defense Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has sparked a strong reaction in the Libyan east, which accuses Turkey of seeking to derail the Geneva political agreement. According to a statement by the Turkish Defense Ministry, the meeting between the two counterparts aims […]

Headlines Libya

GNA, Haftar conduct prisoner swap

Libya’s internationally recognized administration, GNA, and its east-based rival, led by rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar, exchanged Wednesday at least 35 prisoners under the supervision of the 5+5 Libyan Joint Military Commission. Commission member Mukhtar Naqasa said 27 prisoners from Haftar’s forces were swapped with eight soldiers held by GNA forces. The operation took place in […]

Headlines Libya

Fresh clashes erupt between Haftar, GNA forces threatening frail ceasefire

Armed clashes erupted between forces of UN-backed Government of National and those of rebel Gen. Khalifa Haftar Sunday in south Libya putting at stake a frail ceasefire, Libya Observer reports. Sources told the media the clashes occurred when Sabha military zone officers of the GNA gathered to read out a congratulatory statement on Libya’s Independence […]

Asia Europe Headlines International Libya

Paris calls on Haftar to “abstain” from any military action

France has asked Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strongman of eastern Libya, to “refrain from any resumption of hostilities” and to “focus” on the search for a political solution. “There is no military solution in Libya. The priority is to implement the ceasefire agreement of 23 October 2020, which provides for the departure of foreign forces […]

Europe Headlines International Libya

GNA, Italy sign military cooperation deal

the UN-backed Libyan Government of National Accord, GNA, signed Friday a military agreement with Italy covering many areas including training, military education and cooperation in the field of illegal immigration.   Defense Minister Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush inked the deal with his Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini in Rome, according to media office of the Volcano of […]

Asia Headlines International Libya

GNA agrees to free Russian spies tied to Saif al-Islam Gaddafi

Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) has agreed, after a deal with Moscow, to release two Russian alleged spies arrested last year in Libya for working on behalf of Saif al-Islam, son of former leader Muammar Gaddafi, Bloomberg reports. Maxim Shugaley and Samir Seifan, both Russian citizens, have been in custody since May last year […]

Business Energy Headlines Libya

Libya: Haftar lifts blockade on oil fields & ports under guarantee of a fair distribution of revenues

Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar on Friday announced lifting the blockade on oil production and its export.   Hours after the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC), in a statement, objected to “the politicization of the oil sector and its use as a bargaining chip for political gains,” Haftar announced in a televised speech the lifting of […]

Headlines Libya Maghreb

Haftar risks sapping Libyan peace efforts

Libya’s renegade general, Khalifa Haftar, has derided the ceasefire declared by the rival governments in the East and West and his forces have already violated the truce with hostilities that risk ending the brim of hope that started to appear at the end of the Libyan infighting tunnel. Local Libyan media cited attacks by Pro-Haftar […]