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.
GNU says transfer of Russian military equipment from Syria to Libya is unconfirmed
On 8 January, acting Government of National Unity (GNU) Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) al-Taher al-Baour emphasized that reports of the transfer of Russian military equipment and weapons from Syria to Libya are unconfirmed media reports. He said the GNU is closely...
Russian naval activity continues in the Mediterranean
On 5 January, two Russian landing ships and a Ro-Ro (roll-on/ roll off) cargo ship arrived in Tartus, Syria and as of 6 January were being off loaded. Separately, two Russian Ro-Ro cargo ships and a tanker entered the Mediterranean on 3 January. As of 6 January in the...
Italy approves prisoner extradition bill with Libya
On 29 December, the Italian Council of Ministers approved a draft law ratifying an agreement with Libya allowing the transfer of prisoners between the two countries, allowing them to serve the remainder of their sentences in their country of origin. According to a...
China reportedly planned crude-for-oil deal with Haftar
On 26 December, the British daily The Telegraph reported that China allegedly planned to send up to 92 armed drones worth USD 1 billion to the Libyan National Army (LNA) under Khalifa Haftar using a network of shell companies in the UK, Egypt, and Tunisia in order to...
Military intelligence directors from Libya and neighbouring countries meet in Tripoli
On 21-22 December, the first regional Military Intelligence Director’s conference for Libya and its neighbouring countries took place in Tripoli. Other than the host nation, delegations from Tunisia, Algeria, Niger, Chad, and Sudan participated, albeit not all with...
Libyan security actors hold high-level meetings with international counterparts
On 19-20 December, the EU Delegation to Libya and the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) held two-day consultations in Rome with EUNAVFOR Med’s Operation Irini to explore ‘how the EU and Mission Irini can best support the Committee’s work’. On 19 December, US Chargé...
UN delegation visits Kufra as UNHCR calls for more support for Sudanese refugees
On 19 December, a high-level UNSMIL delegation led by acting SRSG Stephanie Koury visited Kufra to assess the ongoing humanitarian response for Sudanese refugees. The members of the delegation engaged with local authorities, partners, refugees, and host communities to...
Speculation about Russia moving military bases from Syria to Libya ramps up
There has been a flurry of reporting on the possible transfers of Russian resources from Syria to Libya over the last two weeks. On 17 December, the Italian Minister of Defence (MoD) Guido Crosetto claimed that Moscow is trans ferring resources from the Syrian navy...
UN condemns arbitrary arrests and human rights abuses in Libya
In her UNSC address on 16 December, acting SRSG to Libya Stephanie Koury noted that arbitrary arrests and detention persist across the country, expressing concern about deaths in custody with 4 deaths, including two women, since her last briefing. She called on Libyan...