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.
Operation Irini finds cargo in breach of arms embargo
On 20 July, Operation Irini announced that during an inspection on 18 July it had found the MV VICTORY RORO to be transporting military vehicles to Libya in breach of the UN arms embargo. Prior to the inspection, the MV VICTORY RORO cargo ship had been located by a...
Reports of UK proposing Iraqi President as new UN Envoy to Libya
On 14 July, unconfirmed reports from Libyan media claimed that the UK had proposed Iraqi President Barham Salih as the potential new UN Special Envoy to Libya. According to the claims, Salih would assume the role after his tenure as Iraqi President had concluded.
Bashaagha addresses UK Foreign Affairs Committee
On 12 July, the Government of National Stability (GNS) Prime Minister, Fathi Bashaagha, addressed the UK Foreign Affairs Committee in Arabic via video link from a ruined building in Sirte. The chair of the committee, Tom Tugendhat, stressed that Bashaagha was not...
NGO rescue vessel completes 7 rescues of migrants at sea in 10 days
On 3 July, the European NGO, SOS Mediterranee, announced that its flagship rescue vessel, Ocean Viking, had completed its seventh rescue in less than ten days. On 26 June, SOS Mediterranee reported that it had rescued 75 people from an overcrowded rubber boat in...
UN-mediated talks between Saleh and Mishri fail to reach a conclusion on basis for elections
On 30 June, UN Special Advisor to the Secretary-General (SASG) Stephanie Williams confirmed that the two-day talks on 28 – 29 June in Geneva between the Speaker of the House of Representatives (HoR) Aqeela Saleh, and the head of the High State Council (HSC), Khalid...
US Ambassador pushes financial mechanism and oversight committee
Meetings were held from 28-29 June in Tripoli between US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland and a number of high-level Libyan figures, including The Government of National Unity (GNU) Prime Minister Abdul Hameed Dabaiba, Head of the Presidential Council (PC) Muhammed...
UAE rejects proposed Algerian UN Envoy
On 23 June, the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, submitted a proposal to the UN Security Council (UNSC) for former Algerian diplomat, Sabri Boukadoum, to become the new Special Envoy of the UN to Libya. However, the UAE vetoed the appointment, rejecting it on...
UN recognises rollover of LPDF in absence of elections
On 22 June, the Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Farhan Haq, stated in a press briefing that the UN ‘regrets’ that several milestones of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) were missed in 2021, including national elections. Haq added that the...
Reports of Wagner movement in recent weeks
Between 19 and 20 June, movements of operatives from the Russian private military contractor (PMC) the Wagner Group were observed in Tamanhint, Jufra, and south of the 50th Gate in Sirte. Graffiti calling for the expulsion of Wagner mercenaries from Libya has been...