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.
SOHR reports Turkey replaced 150 Syrian mercenaries
On 2 November, the Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) reported that 150 Syrian mercenaries had returned to Syria, with a fresh cohort of the same number.
5+5 JMC meet in Cairo for talks on the withdrawal of foreign forces
On 30 October, members of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) convened in Cairo to discuss the withdrawal of foreign operatives from southern Libya. Jan Kubis, head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), presided over the meeting. Egyptian...
UNSC sanctions manager of the Nasr Detention Centre
On 26 October the UN Security Council added Osama al-Koni Ibrahim, who manages the Nasr Detention Centre, to its sanctions list, accusing him of human rights violations and of acting ‘on behalf of or at the direction of two listed individuals intrinsically linked to...
Egyptian foreign minister meets with eastern leaders
On 21 October, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry met with the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Khalifa Haftar, after attending the Libya Stabilisation Conference in Tripoli. Shoukry also met with several other senior leaders in Cyrenaica, including Deputy...
UN observers expected to arrive in Libya before end of October
On 15 October, 5+5 Joint Military Committee (JMC) member, Lieutenant General Faraj al-Sawsaa, stated that observers from the United Nations would supervise the implementation of the 5+5 JMC Action Plan for the removal of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya....
Reports of withdrawal of Syrian forces from Watiyya airbase
On 13 October, a batch of Syrian forces based in Tripoli were reportedly repatriated from Libya back to Syria by Turkey via Watiyya airbase. More than 500 are alleged to have departed Libya over the last fortnight. However, the departure coincides with unconfirmed...
FBI arrives in Cyprus to examine aircraft suspected of violating Libyan arms embargo
On 12 October, Cypriot media reported that US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents were in Cyprus heading to Paphos International Airport to inspect a plane stored in a private hangar, following a UN report calling on inspections to be carried on the possibly...
Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the UK and the US in Libya issue a joint statement on Action Plan
On 10 October, the Embassies of France, Germany, Italy, the United Kingdom and the United States in Libya issued a joint statement welcoming the announcement of the Action Plan agreement. The Embassies underlined the need for Security Sector Reform (SSR) and...
IOM condemns violence against migrants
On 9 October, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) issued a statement condemning the killing of six migrants and at least 24 injured during a chaotic episode the previous day at the Mabani detention centre in Tripoli. IOM Chief of Mission Frederico Soda...