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.
Dabaiba meets with Bathily in Tunisia and expresses support for Bathily
On 1 December, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister, Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, met with the UN Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, in Tunisia. Dabaiba reaffirmed the GNU’s preparedness to hold elections. He also called for more dialogue and...
Zenenga attends workshop on State Monopoly on Weapons in Libya
On 28 November, the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) reported that the UN Deputy Envoy for Political Affairs in Libya Raisedon Zenenga attended a workshop on ‘State Monopoly on Weapons in Libya’ organised by the Libyan Joint Operations Centre. According to UNSMIL,...
EU ministers endorse new migrant plan to curb illegal crossings from North Africa
On 25 November, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported that European Union (EU) interior ministers agreed on a plan to improve cooperation on migrant arrivals. While no concrete decisions were reportedly taken, ministers welcomed a 20-point action plan proposed by the...
Italy to provide boats to Libyan coastguard
On 19 November, Italy’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Antonio Tajani, said that Italy is seeking to provide police patrol boats to the Libyan Coast Guard to stop human smugglers. According to Italian media, Tajani had discussed this with his...
Bathily calls out Libyan stakeholders as ‘hindering’ process at UNSC
On 15 November, UN Special Envoy to Libya, Abdoulaye Bathily, addressed the UN Security Council (UNSC). He asserted that ‘there is an increasing recognition that some institutional players are actively hindering progress towards elections’, adding: ‘The genuine...
US Special Envoy Norland meets with GNU and HSC officials during diplomatic visit to Libya
On 10 November, the US Embassy to Libya released a statement detailing the visit of US Special Envoy, Richard Norland, to Libya from 8-10 November along with Charge d'Affaires at the US Embassy, Leslie Ordeman. During the visit they held meetings with the Government...
Operation Irini intercepts vessel violating arms embargo
On 9 November, the European Union’s Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI announced that on 11 October it had conducted an inspection of the merchant vessel MV MEERDIJK off the coast of Libya. The ship was found to be transporting vehicles modified for military use suspected...
UNSMIL’s mandate extended by UNSC for a year
On 28 October, the United National Security Council (UNSC) voted unanimously to extend the United Nations Support Mission in Libya’s (UNSMIL) mandate for a year till 31 October 2023. The UNSC claimed the decision reaffirmed its ‘strong commitment to an inclusive...
Dabaiba signs military cooperation agreements with Turkey
On 25 October, during a visit to Istanbul, the Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister, Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, signed two military agreements with Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar. The first agreement is related to the protocols for implementing the...