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 protests Greek seismic surveys in area claimed by 2019 Libya-Turkey MoU
On 21 May, it was reported that the Government of National Unity's (GNU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) had submitted the week before a note of protest to the Greek ambassador in Tripoli, Nikos Garilidis, regarding the seismic survey of a Norwegian-flagged survey...
Western diplomats renew focus on countering Russian presence in Libya
On 16 May, UK Ambassador to Libya Martin Longden met with Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar in Benghazi, stressing that all parties should engage in the UN political process. Longden also visited Derna where he met with Belqassim Haftar, the Director...
ICC to conclude investigations by end-2025 and issue new arrest warrants in Libya
On 14 May, the International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Karim Khan briefed the UN Security Council (UNSC) on Libya, noting that the ICC had reinvigorated its work on Libya in the last 18 months and is making progress on the objectives of the Court’s strategic...
Dar al-Ifta calls for jihad against Russian ‘occupation and invasion’
On 14 May, the Dar al-Ifta issued a statement in which it said that the Russian armed presence on Libyan soil is considered ‘an occupation and an invasion’ by an aggressor state which still has the blood of the people of Tripoli on its hands due to Russian involvement...
Libyan Navy delegation concludes US training in Accra
On 10 May, the US Embassy thanked a Libyan Navy delegation for participating in US Naval Forces Africa’s 2nd annual African Maritime Forces Summit in Accra, Ghana. The summit’s theme was ‘Cooperation at sea: safeguarding African maritime security,’ with the embassy...
Italy bans surveillance and rescue planes over the Mediterranean
On 8 May, the German Search and rescue organisation Sea Watch launched an aerial surveillance mission from the Italian island of Lampedusa, in defiance of a ruling by the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (ENAC) on 6 May banning small planes used by migrant charities...
Meloni in Tripoli as Italy ramps up anti-migration efforts
On 7 May, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni arrived in Tripoli to meet with Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba. They discussed issues of mutual cooperation including combatting illegal migration, energy and the political process. Three Memorandums of...
GNU and LNA delegations in Moscow as Russia deepens relations with eastern and western Libya
On 7 May, the Russian Special Envoy for MENA and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Mikhail Bogdanov, received the Chief of Staff of the Libyan National Army (LNA) Security Units (and son of Khalifa Haftar), Khaled Haftar, in Moscow for talks on the situation...
Meloni and Haftar discuss Italy-LNA partnership in Benghazi visit
On 7 May, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni travelled to Benghazi where she met Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander Khalifa Haftar. According to the LNA, Meloni expressed her appreciation for the role of the LNA in maintaining security, stability and unity in...