Egyptian officials visited the Libyan capital of Tripoli for talks with the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA). It was the highest-level Egyptian delegation to visit the city since 2014. The two parties discussed the implementation of a cease-fire agreement between the GNA and rebels commanded by Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by Cairo, among other issues (Al Jazeera)
Libyan Forces Release Captured Fishermen
Forces led by rebel commander Khalifa Haftar released eighteen fishermen from four countries, including eight from Italy, whom they had held for more than three months for allegedly operating in Libya’s waters. The prolonged detention was an embarrassment for Italy’s government, which critics accused of failing to stand up to Haftar (Al Jazeera)
Libya’s LNA Seizes Turkish Vessel
The self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) seized a Turkish ship heading to the port of Misrata in western Libya. A spokesman said that the ship was “being investigated for its violations of maritime laws and regulations” (Al Jazeera)
Libya’s Rival Factions to Cooperate on Protecting Oil Facilities
Libya’s rival factions agreed to cooperate to protect oil facilities following UN-brokered talks. Oil production, Libya’s main source of revenue, halted for nine months this year due to the country’s civil war (Al Jazeera)
Dozens of Migrants Die in Shipwreck Off Libyan Coast
At least seventy-four migrants died in a shipwreck off the coast of Libya, according to the United Nations. It was at least the eighth wreck in the Central Mediterranean since October 1 (Al Jazeera)
Libyan Rivals Agree to Elections
During peace talks held in Tunisia, Libya’s warring parties agreed to hold elections in eighteen months, which the United Nations hailed as a “breakthrough” (Al Jazeera)
Libya’s Rival Factions Begin Political Talks
Representatives from Libya’s competing governments began UN-brokered peace talks in Tunisia today, aiming to end a conflict that has raged for nearly a decade. The United Nations chose seventy-five Libyan delegates to participate in the talks, which are slated to last for six days. The warring sides agreed to a cease-fire last month in Geneva (Associated Press)
Libya’s Rival Groups Agree on Implementation of Cease-Fire Deal
Military officials from Libya’s warring parties agreed to a roadmap for implementing a cease-fire agreement struck last month, the UN envoy to the country announced. The two sides agreed to establish a military subcommittee that will oversee the drawdown of their forces and the departure of foreign troops from the front lines (Agence France-Presse)
Libya’s Warring Groups Meet for Talks
Military officials from Libya’s warring factions are gathering in the town of Ghadames for talks expected to center on the implementation of an October cease-fire agreement. They are the first in-person negotiations since rebel commander Khalifa Haftar attempted to retake the capital last year. Political leaders are slated to hold talks in Tunisia next week (Al Jazeera)
Warring Libyan Factions Agree to Cease-Fire
Libya’s two main warring parties agreed to a cease-fire today, raising hopes for an end to the bloody civil war that has lasted since Muammar al-Qaddafi’s overthrow nearly a decade ago (New York Times).The United Nations’ Libya mission said both sides had agreed to “a permanent cease-fire in all areas of Libya.” The deal came after talks in Geneva between military representatives of the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and of rebel commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) (Al Jazeera)
Rival Libyan Governments Reach Agreement for Choosing Positions
Delegates from the country’s two rival administrations agreed on criteria for choosing government leadership during talks in Morocco, which are expected to continue (Al Jazeera)
UN Calls for World to Stop Arming Rival Libyan Governments
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged world powers to stop supplying arms to Libya’s rival governments and instead work toward a lasting cease-fire, warning that the future of the country “is at stake” (Al Jazeera)
EU Imposes Sanctions for Violating Libya Arms Embargo
The European Union sanctioned two Libyan men and three companies—one each from Jordan, Kazakhstan, and Turkey—for violating the 2011 UN arms embargo on Libya (Deutsche Welle)
Head of Libya’s UN-Backed Government Wants to Quit
The head of Libya’s UN-backed government, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, said he wants to step down by the end of October and urged the swift naming of a new administration (Al Jazeera)
His departure could create more political uncertainty and conflict for Libya, which is torn between rival administrations in the east and west (Arab News)
UN Calls for Enforcement of Arms Embargo on Libya
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution on conflict-torn Libya that called for countries to enforce the UN arms embargo, which UN experts recently called “totally ineffective.” It also urged a cease-fire and demanded countries withdraw their mercenaries (Associated Press)
Libya’s Eastern-based Government Resigns
The country’s interim eastern-based government, which lacks international recognition and is allied with rebel commander Khalifa Haftar, stepped down. Hundreds of people have recently protested power shortages and poor living conditions in eastern Libya (Al Jazeera)
EU Forces Intercept Fuel Bound for Libya
An EU maritime mission said it intercepted a Libya-bound tanker carrying jet fuel, a possible violation of the UN arms embargo on Libya. The ship was sent to an unnamed European port for inspection (Associated Press)
UN Envoy: Arms Shipments to Libya Increase Despite Embargo
Interim UN envoy to Libya Stephanie Williams told the UN Security Council that foreign backers have increased weapons shipments to Libya. Williams said the shipments escalated violence, breached the conflict-ridden country’s sovereignty, and violated a UN arms embargo (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
Nearly Fifty Migrants Drown Off Libya’s Coast
Forty-five migrants, including five children, drowned after their boat sunk off Libya’s coast in the area’s largest shipwreck this year, according to the UN refugee agency. Thirty-seven survivors were returned to Libya and arrested. UN officials urged a stronger international effort to rescue migrants in the Mediterranean Sea and said it was unsafe to return them to Libya (Deutsche Welle)
U.S. National Security Advisor Condemns Foreign Interference in Libya
U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien condemned the involvement of foreign forces in Libya, arguing that their actions threaten stability and commerce. Several foreign countries back opposing sides in Libya’s civil war, and the United States has accused Russia of using mercenaries to establish a foothold in the region (Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty)
U.S. Military Accuses Russia of Breaking Arms Embargo in Libya
The U.S. military has once again accused Russia of sending military equipment to Libya despite an arms embargo. The accusation comes as the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM), showed satellite photos showcasing “broad scope of Russian involvement,” with cargo planes and other military supplies going to Libya through a private Russian military contractor the Wagner Group (Al Jazeera)
Russia, Turkey Agree to Push for Libya Cease-Fire
Russia and Turkey, the main power brokers in Libya’s civil war, agreed to continue pushing for a cease-fire. Turkey insisted that rebel commander Khalifa Haftar withdraw his troops from critical positions for a deal to be made. Russia backs Haftar while Turkey backs the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (Reuters)
Egyptian Parliament Approves Potential Troop Deployment in Libya
Egypt’s parliament authorized the deployment of troops outside the country after President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi threatened military intervention in Libya. The move could bring Egypt, which backs rebel Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, into conflict with Turkey, which backs the UN-recognized Government of National Accord (Al Jazeera)
Libyan Government Moves to Recapture Sirte
The UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) moved its fighters closer to the city of Sirte over the weekend. The GNA has said it plans to recapture Sirte from the Libyan National Army, although Egypt, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have threatened to send troops if the GNA attempts to seize the city (Al Jazeera)
UAE Blamed for Libyan Oil Blockade
The country’s national oil company blamed the United Arab Emirates for imposing a blockade that has stopped oil production. The UAE backs rebel commander Khalifa Haftar in the Libyan civil war (Bloomberg)