First Independent Mena Newspaper
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 […]
According to an official at the Egyptian finance ministry, Libya will be giving Cairo a loan to ease the pressure on the government. It will be offering a $2 billion five-year loan after an agreement was signed to formalize the deal. The loan will be interest free for Egypt with a 3year grace period. The […]
World Bank Vice President for the North Africa & the Middle East, Mrs. Inger Andersen, has paid lately a three-day visit to Libya carrying a message of hope and support to the efforts made by the new Libyan authorities to build a new democratic State. During her visit, first of its kind since the fall […]
Tatneft, a Russian oil company, has agreed to begin its operations again in Libya after the circumstances of the uprising against Ghadaffi no longer permitted its staff to continue with their daily activities at the Mellitah energy complex. The company said that its staff members have begun returning to the plant which is located in […]
The North African region has been experiencing attacks on Sufi tombs and shrines with the Salafists suspected of carrying them out. The latest site to be bombed is the shrine of Sidi Mohammed Landulsi, a 15th century Sufi theologian. The shrine which is located in the eastern suburb of Tajura was destroyed with a triple […]