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.
21 – 27 August: G7 call for international conference on Libya
On 23 August, France, UK, US, Italy, Egypt and the UAE met as a part of the P3+3 countries in Paris to “study and evaluate the security and financial conditions in Libya.” On 26 August, the G7 summit in France released a statement calling for an international conference on Libya.
14 – 20 Aug: US Ambassador to Libya takes up post
The new US Ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, assumed his duties on 14 August. The UN investigated and condemned a LNA airstrike on Zuwara airport on 15 August.
6 – 13 Aug: UN and internationals welcome Eid truce despite violations
On 8 August, the UN Envoy briefed the UNSC on the state of the planned UN-brokered ceasefire for Eid al-Adha. On 10 August, Turkey issued a statement in support of the ceasefire. On 12 August, France, Italy, the UAE, the UK and the US issued a joint statement in support of the UN’s efforts.
31 Jul – 6 Aug: UNSC welcomes proposed truce for Eid
On 1 August, Haftar met with Sisi in Cairo to discuss security cooperation, On 4 August, Macron and Sisi had a phone call in which they discussed Libya. On 5 August, the UNSC said members “welcomed and expressed full support” for a proposed truce for Eid.
24 July – 30 July: UN Envoy proposes a “triple action” to end Libya conflict
On 29 July, in a lengthy address to the UNSC, the UN Envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame proposed a three-part immediate action to end the current conflict. On 28 July, Salame met with the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, at his headquarters in Rajma, in eastern Libya.
17 July – 23 July: UNSMIL reopen bids for audit of competing CBL branches
On 22 July, UNSMIL announced the reopening of bids for the selection of an international audit firm to audit the financial accounts of the competing Central Bank of Libya CBL branches.
10 July – 16 July: US made missiles discovered amongst LNA forces found to belong to France
On 16 July, the Governments of Egypt, France, Italy, UAE, UK, and the US issued a statement calling for an immediate de-escalation and halt to the current fighting. On 11 July, the UN Deputy Envoy to Libya, met with the senior leadership of the eastern-based CBL. On 8 July, the Javelin anti-tank missiles discovered amidst LNA forces in Ghariyan were confirmed to belong to France.
3 July – 9 July: Serraj visits Erdogan to secure military and financial support
On 7 July, the UN’s Deputy Envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, met with members of the eastern-based HoR as part of a 3-day tour of eastern Libya. On 5 July, GNA Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj visited Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul. On 5 July, UNSC issued a statement condemning the attack on 2 July on a migrant detention centre in Tajoura. On 3 July, details emerged of the GNA Attorney General arresting two Russian men accused of attempting to influence future Libyan elections.
26 June – 2 July: Turkey threatens LNA as “legitimate target” following the arrest of six Turkish nationals
On 28 June, the LNA banned all commercial flights from Libya to Turkey. On 29 June, the Turkish Foreign Ministry demanded the release of six Turkish citizens by the LNA “otherwise the elements of Haftar will become a legitimate target.” On 29 June, the US State and Defence Departments opened an investigation to look into how American-made weapons had found their way to Libya.