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.
23 January – 29 January: France plan to reopen embassy in Libya this year
On 26 January, France announced it is planning to reopen its embassy in Libya this year. On 25 January, Russia’s Foreign Minister suggested that election deadlines for Libya were not constructive. On 24 January, Libya, Niger, Chad and Sudan agreed to have a ministerial meeting on border control. On 22 January, the GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj met with the US Ambassador to Libya.
16 January – 22 January: Italian Deputy Prime Minister says France has no interest in stabilising Libya
On 22 January, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini said that France has no interest in stabilising the situation in Libya, ‘probably because it has oil interests that are opposed to those of Italy.’ On 18 January, German Chancellor Angela Merkel stated that Germany’s policy approach to Libya follows a similar style as the Italian government.
9 January – 15 January: UN Envoy travels to southern Libya for meetings with local officials and dignitaries
On 13 January, UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame travelled to southern Libya for meetings with local officials and dignitaries. On 13 January, the head of the GNA Fayez al-Serraj pulled Libya from the Arab Economic Summit.
2 January – 8 January: Serraj meets with Russian Ambassador to Libya
On 6 January, Fayez al-Serraj met with Russian Ambassador to Libya, Ivan Molotkov. On 5 January, Germany declared it will use its membership on the UN Security Council to support UNSMIL efforts. On 2 January, the GNA’s Interior Minister met with the British Charge d’Affairs.
26 December – 1 January: Russian Envoy says Said al-Islam Qaddafi has right to run for president
On 27 December, Russian Envoy Mikhail Bogdanov said Saif al-Islam Qaddafi has the right to run for president in the elections next year.
19 December – 25 December: Italian PM meetings Libyan leaders
On 23 December, Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte visited the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, in al-Rajma and the head of the GNA, Fayez al-Serraj, in Tripoli.
12 December – 18 December: Italy appoints new Ambassador to Libya
On 14 December, Italian diplomat Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi was appointed as Italy’s new ambassador to Libya. On 14 December, US Colonel Adam Chalkley said conditions in Libya were improving for the return of a US diplomatic mission. On 18 December, the EU expanded its EUBAM to actively support Libyan authorities.
5 December – 11 December: Haftar heads to Rome for a meeting with the Italian Prime Minister
On 5 December, the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, arrived in Rome for an unannounced two-day visit. On 4 December, Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister, Fayez al-Serraj, traveled to Brussels to attend a meeting with NATO officials.
28 November – 4 December: AFRICOM conduct an airstrike killing eleven AQIM members near al-Uwaynat
On 29 November, AFRICOM conducted an airstrike killing eleven AQIM members and destroying three vehicles near al-Uwaynat in southern Libya.