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.
17-27 May: Serraj Meets Trump in Riyadh
GNA prime minister Fayez al-Serraj met briefly with US President Donald in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia during the American Islamic States Summit. China, Russia, France, the UK and the USA condemn violence in Libya following the Brak attack. Kobler warns that summary executions are included under war crimes and may be prosecuted by the ICC.
10 – 16 May: NOC in Dispute with Germany’s Wintershall
The NOC is in dispute with German oil giant Wintershall over the terms of contract of its expired concession agreement
3 – 9 May: Swehli Appoints Dialogue Committee to Meet HoR
Foreign Ministers from UK, Italy and Norway visited Tripoli and Tobruk last week while there may be a second meeting between Serraj and Haftar this week, with the attendance of Swehli and Saleh. On 13 May, Swehli appointed a 13 member dialogue committee to discuss amendments to the LPA.
24 Apr-May 1:Possible political breakthrough between Serraj and Haftar
Photos confirm meeting between GNA PM Fayez al-Serraj and Khalifa Haftar in Abu Dhabi—the first face-to-face meeting in over a year. The outcome of the meeting remains unclear.
April 18-25 Trump does not see a US role in Libya
In a joint press conference with the Italian PM, Trump said he does not see a role for the US in Libya. Days later, Defence Secretary Mattis said that success in Libya would be difficult if the US focused exclusively on counterterrorism.
12-17 Apr: US Treasury Implements Sanctions on Libyan ISIS Financiers
US Treasury Department’s Office of Public Affairs (OFAC) designated various Libya-based individuals as ‘ISIS financial facilitators,’ and implemented sanctions freezing all of their affiliated property while US persons are prohibited from business engagement with the individuals. The European Union says actors in southern Libya should solve the conflict through negotiation.
5-11 Apr: Haftar visits UAE as Serraj meets with AFRICOM
Khalifa Haftar met with Abu Dhabi Crown Prince in the UAE this week and the latter praised the LNA’s efforts to fight terrorism. Fayez al-Serraj met with the head of US AFRICOM and the US ambassador to Libya.
29 Mar – 4 Apr: EU extends sanctions as Arab League backs GNA
The EU has extended sanctions against Saleh, Ghwell and Abu Sahmain for another 6 months as the Arab League Summit reiterated its support for the GNA and the LPA. The French met with Haftar and Saleh in Benghazi last week, while Russia has derailed the appointment of a new UN Libya envoy.
22 – 28 Mar: UNSC P5 Issue Joint Statement Calling For Restraint in Libya
UNSC P5 issued a joint statement calling on all Libyan parties to settle differences through political processes, however the UNSC has still not agreed on a replacement for Kobler as UN Libya envoy.