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.
28 Feb – 6 Mar: Egypt foil “infiltration attempt” across its western border with Libya
On 4 March, the Egyptian army announced it had foiled an “infiltration attempt” across its western border with Libya after reportedly destroying 11 vehicles loaded with arms and ammunition on the Libyan border.
21 – 27 Feb: US imposes sanction and signs MoU with GNA
On 26 February, the US imposed sanctions on several Libyan, Maltese and Egyptian firms, traders and ships reportedly participating in oil smuggling. On 23 February, the US and GNA signed an agreement to restrict the import of Libyan cultural property to the US.
14 – 20 Feb: CHD hold talks with Libyan senior figures, Egypt foils “infiltration attempt” on Libyan border, and Libya suspended to vote at the UN
On 12 – 14 February, the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue facilitated talks between a range of different senior Libyan actors in Geneva. On 15 February, the Egyptian army announced it had foiled an “infiltration attempt” on the Libyan border. On 13 February, it was confirmed the UNGA had suspended Libya’s right to vote at the UN for the third year in a row.
7 Feb – 13 Feb: Trump extends national emergency while Netherlands announces Libyan diplomatic office and Italy boosts its African Fund contribution
On 9 February, US President Donald Trump extended the national emergency pursuant to the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for Libya. On 12 February, Ambassador of the Netherlands to Libya announced the opening of a diplomatic office in Tripoli. On 8 February, the Italian government announced an additional 80 million Euros in its African Fund to fight illegal migration.
31 Jan – 6 Feb: Explosive Remnants of War destroyed while report suggests LNA linked groups are stopping Benghazi returnees
On 1 February, UNSMIL said more than 200 tons of Explosive Remnants of War had been destroyed in Libya. On 1 February, HRW published a report suggesting armed groups with links to Khalifa Haftar’s LNA are preventing at least 3,700 families from returning to Benghazi. On 1 February, Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, launched the new Joint Operation Themis to assist Italy in its border control activities.
24 – 30 Jan: UN and ICC condemn executions and call for Werfalli’s arrest
UNSMIL and the ICC have condemned the summary executions of 10 LNA prisoners by Mahmoud al-Werfalli in Benghazi on 24 January and called for the implementation of the ICC arrest warrant for Werfalli. On 25 January, UNSMIL launched an appeal for US$313 million from donors as part of its 2018 Libya Humanitarian Response Plan.
17 – 23 Jan: Italian parliament votes to increase its military presence in Libya
On 17 January, the Italian parliament voted to increase its military presence in Libya to combat illegal immigration and counter terrorism threats. Italian forces are currently positioned in Misrata to manage the military hospital established in September 2016 during the anti-ISIS operations in Sirte.
10 – 16 Jan: UN Under Secretary General visits Libya
On 10 January, UN Under Secretary General Jeffery Feltman visited Libya and held meetings with Government of National Accord institutions in Tripoli. Feltman reiterated the UN’s backing of UN Envoy Ghassan Salame’s Libya Action Plan, stating there was a “window of opportunity” to successfully end the transition with the Libyan Political Agreement.
3 – 9 Jan: Serraj and Salame meet while Germany destroys Qadhafi’s chemical weapons
On 8 January, Government of National Accord (GNA) head Fayez al-Serraj met with UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame in Tripoli to discuss the latest political developments in Libya. On 5 January, the German Foreign and Defense Ministries completed the destruction of components from Muammar al-Qadhafi’s chemicals weapons programme.