International actors

On 9 July, the Egyptian military said it had carried out a large-scale military drill near the Libyan border called ‘Hasm 2020.’ On 13 July, the Turkish Foreign Minister said that military preparations had been made to seize Sirte and Jufra airbase if the LNA did not withdraw from both locations. On 10 July, Aqeela Saleh met with the acting UN Envoy to discuss finding an inclusive political solution to the Libyan crisis. On 8 July, Russian Foreign Minister said Russia was working with Turkey on an immediate ceasefire agreement in Libya.

On 3 July, a Turkish delegation made an unannounced visit to Tripoli to meet with senior GNA officials. On 1 July, France temporarily withdrew its participation from NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian. On 3 July, the speaker of the HoR, Saleh, held a meeting in Moscow with Russian Foreign Minister, Lavrov. On 1 July, a high-level US delegation undertook a meeting with LNA officials to discuss DDR initiatives. Also on 1 July, Saleh, met with Greek Foreign Minister, Dendias, in Tubruq.

On 25 June, a convoy of Russian and other foreign mercenaries entered Sharara oilfield. On 26 June, French President Macron had a meeting with Russian President Putin where the two discussed Libya. On 24 June, the US State Department met virtually with the GNA’s Ministry of Interior to discuss DDR. On 25 June, France, Italy and Germany released a joint statement calling for an end to foreign interference in Libya.

On 20 June, Egyptian President al-Sisi stated that Egypt has the legitimate right to intervene in Libya. In the wake of Sisi’s statements, many of the foreign actors involved in Libya have released statements. On 22 June, the US NSC stressed the need to build on the UN’s 5 +5 talks, the Cairo initiative, and the Berlin process. The same day, the head of the GNA, al-Serraj, hosted a closed-door meeting in Zuwara with a US AFRICOM delegation. Also on 22 June, the UNHRC adopted a resolution strongly condemning all acts of violence in Libya and urging the UN to dispatch a fact-finding mission to the country.

On 14 June, the planned talks on Libya between Russian FM Lavrov and Russian Defence Minister Shogu and their Turkish counterparts were delayed. On 10 June, Egyptian President al-Sisi and US President Trump spoke about the Libya file over the phone. The same day, UNSMIL said that the GNA and LNA delegations were “fully engaged” in the third round of JMC 5+5. On 12 June, the Turkish Ministry of Defence announced that it conducted an 8-hour long coordinated Open Sea Training exercise off the Libyan coast.

On 6 June, Egyptian President Abdul Fatah al-Sisi, flanked by the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, and Speaker of the HoR, Aqeela Saleh, announced a new peace initiative for Libya. Following this announcement, there has been a flurry of international activity and reaction.

On 29 May, the US State Department commended the Government of Malta’s for seizing counterfeit Libyan currency. On 30 May, Russia’s MFA issued a statement noting that a contract for the printing of Libyan dinars was signed in 2015. On 1 June, UNSG Guterres held a phone call with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov. On 29 May, AFRICOM discussed training and exercise with Tunisia. On 30 May, Italian Prime Minister Conte spoke to the head of GNA, al-Serraj, and the next day he spoke to the head of the LNA, Haftar. On 1 June, French Foreign Minister Le Drian held a phone call with Serraj.

On 26 May, AFRICOM assessed that Russia had deployed military fighter aircraft to Libya. Just before, PMCs belonging to the Russian Wagner Group had entered Bani Walid and some were being evacuated by air to Jufra. Over the last week, politicians from the US, Turkey, UAE, France and the UN called for a political solution in Libya.

On 17 May, the Speaker of the HoR, Saleh, had a phone conversation with the German Ambassador Owcza. This followed exchanges with the Maltese and British Ambassadors. On 16 May, the head of the GNA, al-Serraj, held a phone call with the NATO Secretary-General Stoltenberg. Just a day before, Serraj, held a phone call with Turkish President Erdogan. On 15 May, the second batch of Turkish medical supplies delivered through Tunisia’s Djerba Airport arrived in Tripoli.