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.
12 December – 18 December: Italy appoints new Ambassador to Libya
On 14 December, Italian diplomat Giuseppe Buccino Grimaldi was appointed as Italy’s new ambassador to Libya. On 14 December, US Colonel Adam Chalkley said conditions in Libya were improving for the return of a US diplomatic mission. On 18 December, the EU expanded its EUBAM to actively support Libyan authorities.
5 December – 11 December: Haftar heads to Rome for a meeting with the Italian Prime Minister
On 5 December, the head of the LNA, Khalifa Haftar, arrived in Rome for an unannounced two-day visit. On 4 December, Government of National Accord (GNA) Prime Minister, Fayez al-Serraj, traveled to Brussels to attend a meeting with NATO officials.
28 November – 4 December: AFRICOM conduct an airstrike killing eleven AQIM members near al-Uwaynat
On 29 November, AFRICOM conducted an airstrike killing eleven AQIM members and destroying three vehicles near al-Uwaynat in southern Libya.
21 November – 27 November: Russian indicates it has no plans for base in Libya
On 24 November, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, indicated to Italian media that Russia does not have plans to establish a military base in Libya.
14 November – 20 November: UN Security Council lists Salah Badi for sanctions
On 16 November, the UN Security Council listed Salah Badi for sanctions. On 15 November, the US State Department renewed its ten-year US-Libya Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement. On 16 November, the LIA stated five EU countries paid out funds frozen by UN sanctions in 2011.
7 November – 13 November: Italy’s Palermo international conference on Libya in begins
On 12-13 November, Italy’s international conference on Libya in Palermo occurred. On 8 November, UNSMIL envoy Ghassan Salame officially confirmed that Libyan elections announced for the end of 2018 will not take place.
31 October – 6 November: US deny AFRICOM visit to Sirte
On 30 October, the U.S. Africa Command released a statement denying reports that Commander General Waldhauser had made a recent visit to Sirte.
24 October – 30 October: Belgium banks investigated for paying dividends into frozen Libyan accounts
On 29 October, Belgium radio station RTBF claimed that prosecutors are investigating whether Belgium banks had paid out dividends to Libyan bank accounts frozen under the 2011 UN Sanctions. On 17 and 22 October, Russian aircraft landed at the LNA’s al-Khadim airport.
17 October – 23 October: Italy’s Prime Minister declares his country ready to facilitate Libyan reconciliation
On 16 October, Italy’s Prime Minister declared that his country was ready to facilitate the Libyan reconciliation process at the “Sicily” International conference in November. On 18 October, the President of the European Parliament urged EU member states to take a unified stance on Libya at the conference.