International actors
Tracking developments of international actors in Libya’s security space including military activity, the presence of foreign operatives and diplomacy pertaining to Libya’s security.
2 – 8 October: UNSMIL condemns airstrikes on Equestrian Club
On 6 October, UNSMIL published a statement condemning airstrikes on the Equestrian Club in Tripoli’s Janzour neighbourhood. On 4 October, UNSMIL issued a statement expressing alarm at “indications that parallel, unrecognized authorities in Libya” are threatening the NOC and its subsidiary Brega.
25 September – 1 October: France and Italy co-chair ministerial meeting on Libya at UNGA
On 26 September, France and Italy co-chaired a ministerial meeting on Libya on the sidelines of the UNGA. The meeting was attended by representatives from the US, the UK, the UAE, Germany, Russia, Turkey, Egypt, China, the UN, the EU, the Arab League and the African Union.
18 – 24 September: US Ambassador meets with Haftar as international momentum on Libya grows
On 18 September, Conte and Macron met in Rome to discuss cooperation on Libya. On 19 September, US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland met with the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, in Dubai. On 23 September, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said France will chair a meeting on Libya on 26 September on the side lines of the UN General Assembly in New York.
11 September – 17 September: Germany to host conference on Libya
On 11 September, Germany’s ambassador to Libya announced that Germany would host a conference on Libya in conjunction with the UN as a follow on to this year’s General Assembly discussions. On 15 September, the UK appointed Nicholas Hopton as its new chargé d’affaires.
4 September – 10 September: UN Envoy to Libya believes agreement is “conceivable”
On 8 September, the French newspaper Liberation published an interview with UN Special Envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, who stated his belief that a political agreement between the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar and the Government of National Accord was “conceivable”.
28 August – 3 September: New AFRICOM Commander meets Serraj
On 26 August, the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, met with the new Commander of AFRICOM, General Stephen Townsend, and US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland. On 30 August, Norland met with the head of the High Council of State (HCS), Khalid al-Mishri. On 29 August, the UN published a report outlining the UNSG overview of the Libyan crisis as presented to the UN Security Council.
21 – 27 August: G7 call for international conference on Libya
On 23 August, France, UK, US, Italy, Egypt and the UAE met as a part of the P3+3 countries in Paris to “study and evaluate the security and financial conditions in Libya.” On 26 August, the G7 summit in France released a statement calling for an international conference on Libya.
14 – 20 Aug: US Ambassador to Libya takes up post
The new US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, assumed his duties on 14 August. The UN investigated and condemned a LNA airstrike on Zuwara airport on 15 August.
6 – 13 Aug: UN and internationals welcome Eid truce despite violations
On 8 August, the UN Envoy briefed the UNSC on the state of the planned UN-brokered ceasefire for Eid al-Adha. On 10 August, Turkey issued a statement in support of the ceasefire. On 12 August, France, Italy, the UAE, the UK and the US issued a joint statement in support of the UN’s efforts.