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.
Authorities Seize 113 Kilograms of Suspected Cocaine destined for Libya at Malta Freeport
On 9 June, the Malta Tax and Customs Administration, in collaboration with the Malta Police Force Drug Squad, intercepted approximately 113 kilograms of suspected cocaine during a joint operation at the Malta Freeport Terminal. The container had arrived from Moin,...
Operation IRINI expands mandate to allow inspection of Russian ‘shadow fleet’
On 8 June, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, announced that EU countries have expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI to allow naval vessels operating in the Mediterranean...
Orlando & Namroush discuss building unified Libyan armed forces
On 8 June, EU Ambassador Nicola Orlando met with the Chief of Staff of the Libyan Army, General Salaheddin al-Namroush, stressing the EU shares with Libya the objective of building strong, unified and professional armed forces capable of ensuring security for all...
UK Defence Senior Advisor meets with Haftars in Benghazi
On 3 June, the UK Ambassador Martin Reynolds accompanied Vice Admiral Edward Ahlgren, Defence Senior Advisor to the Middle East and North Africa (DSAME) on his first visit to Eastern Libya focused on strengthening the UK-Libya partnership. During his visit to...
IOM repatriates 182 stranded Nigerian migrants from Benghazi
On 3 June, IOM said that the previous day it had safely repatriated 182 stranded Nigerian migrants via a chartered Buraq Air flight from Benghazi to Lagos. Conducted under the EU-funded Voluntary Humanitarian Return program, the operation provided beneficiaries with...
Protesters attack UNHCR & UNSMIL HQs in Tripoli
On 2 June, according to some sources, unusual activity took place at the UNHCR office in Tripoli’s al‑Sarraj district ahead of information about a planned ‘major uprising’ against irregular migration scheduled for 4 June. Media reports indicated that staff were seen...
UN warns against disinformation and hate speech amid growing anti-migration campaign in Tripoli
On 1 June, the UN in Libya expressed concern over ‘the renewed spread of misinformation, disinformation, and inflammatory rhetoric on social media platforms in Libya, including content targeting individuals or specific groups. Such narratives risk fuelling tension,...
Hundreds of migrants rescued off Crete after departing from eastern Libya
Hundreds of migrants were rescued off Crete this week having departed from eastern Libya – 143 people in total were rescued on 1 June and 42 people were rescued on 31 May. Nearly 300 people were rescued on 28 May and 170 people on 27 May. Greece estimates over 4,500...
ECHR lodges case against Italy over Najeem
On 29 May, the European Court of Human Rights published two cases lodged on 16 April against the State of Italy concerning the Italian Government’s failure to execute an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Libyan militia commander...