First Independent Mena Newspaper
Algiers has made it intentions known to Cairo that deals involving natural gas could only be discussed in 2014, due to the need to develop production from new fields first. According to Egypt’s oil minister Osama Kamal, Algeria doesn’t have “enough quantities to be exported to Egypt.” Algeria’s decision was prompted by the fact that […]
Malta’s newly elected Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, has renewed his ambition to establish a new partnership with Libya geared towards developing together “as equals” rather than being financially oriented. Prime Minister Muscat said Libyans need “genuine friends” as partners in development “with an open mind.” He lamented the cooperation environment between the countries lying on […]
Tunisian authorities have dismantled lately several Islamist terrorist networks that were recruiting young Tunisians for jihad in Syria. The recruiters are hardline salafists groups operating in mosques and charities. These dark networks were disrupted after months of investigations launched after the complaints lodged by several families over the disappearance of many of their sons, accusing […]
Two senior officials in the Libyan oil ministry have claimed that Libya could be exporting $1,2 billion worth of crude oil at world prices, but on interest-free credit for a year to Egypt, in order to save the country from fuel shortages with the government finding it difficult to honor energy importation dues. These importations […]
North and West Africa are facing a complex set of challenges in terms of democratic transition and consolidation, a growing prominence of Islamist influence, and potential knock-on effects of recent socio-political transformations. Adding to this complexity is Africa’s raising geopolitical importance that is evident in the growing interest of other extra-territorial powers, such as China, […]
The Libyan oil law being drafted by a committee is expected to be ready before September “if all goes well” according to oil minister Abdelbari al-Arusi. The law has to come into force before a licensing round can be launched, but most analysts remain pessimistic about the law being passed. Minister Arusi said that the […]
Mauritania and its northern neighbor, Morocco, have inked several cooperation agreements meant to give a new momentum to their partnership in various sectors of common interest. The two countries, members of Arab Maghreb Union gathering also Algeria, Tunisia and Libya, have agreed to bolster joint actions and projects in the fields of transport, energy & […]
The terrorist bombing that hit lately French embassy in Tripoli has tested the Libyan security apparatus and showed its vulnerability as the North African country is experiencing a turbulent and shaky transition after years of autocratic rule under Gadhafi regime. The attack comes as the new Libyan government is battling to disarm the militias which […]
The situation in Mali, the fight against terrorism and the strengthening of trans-border security are on top of the agenda of the 5+5 Dialogue meeting convening in Nouakchott Tuesday. The Foreign Ministers of the countries forming this informal sub-regional body that brings together 5 Western Mediterranean countries (France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain) and their North […]
After halting its oil production during the uprising against Ghaddafi and beginning production activities after his ousting, Libya has finally reached the production level of the Ghaddafi era and has surpassed expectations. At the beginning of the year, oil minister Abdelbari Arusi said they are hoping to reach the level of 1,7million barrels per day […]