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Libya

November 26, 2024

Tripoli 12:40 am

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Forces opposed to Libya's unity government ride a truck in the Zueitina oil terminal, Sept. 14, 2016.

Analysis

After Libya's Central Bank turmoil, can its oil sector recover?

Although largely resolved, Libya’s Central Bank crisis highlighted the vulnerability of the country’s oil sector, which depends on political and security stability.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

ENI headquarter in San Donato Milanese, near Milan, Italy, Oct. 27, 2017.

After decade halt, Eni, BP resume hydrocarbon exploration in Libya

Onshore drilling had been suspended for a decade, since the beginning of the Libyan civil war between rival factions in the country’s east and west.

Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday hosts Abdel Fattah al-Sisi during the Egyptian leader's first-ever Turkey visit, in Ankara, on Sept. 4, 2024.

Analysis

With reconstruction in mind, can Turkey-Egypt thaw offer lifeline for Libya?

The complex interplay of regional and international interests and entrenched divisions within Libya itself suggest that progress may be slow and difficult to achieve.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

Members of the Libyan Army, under the command of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity, fire live ammunition during a drill in the western town of Tarhuna , on March 6, 2023.

Analysis

Libyan Central Bank standoff fuels conflict fears as Turkey, Russia send weapons

For the sixth time since 2021, the European Union’s naval air mission was blocked from inspecting the cargo of a Turkish-flagged vessel suspected of ferrying weapons to Libya.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

In London, reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Latest News

At Africa summit, China elevates ties with Libya, invests $14M in Egypt

China's Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang (C) delivers his speech.

Libya factions agree to appoint new central bank chief to end crisis: UN

A bank teller counts money as a customer looks on at a bank in Libya's western coastal city of Misrata on Aug. 25, 2024.

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Interview

From Turkey, exiled Libyan Central Bank governor decries 'coup d'etat'

Police officers stand guard outside Libya's Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli on Aug. 27, 2024.

Sadiq al-Kabir

Sadiq al-Kabir

Governor of the Central Bank of Libya

New Mideast threats mean uncertainty for oil, trade, stability in August

A picture taken on October 13, 2021 shows Kuwait's largest oil refinery at the Al-Ahmadi complex, about 40 kilometres (25 miles) south of the capital Kuwait City. - A fire broke out on October 18, 2021 in Al-Ahmadi refinery, with no interruptions to site operations or petrol exports.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Islam Alatrash

In Misrata, reporting on Libyan migration

Mohamed Eljarh

Pacts between Libya, Turkey raise tensions with Egypt

Egypt's criticism of Libya's internationally recognized government is mounting in light of the latter's maritime and security agreements with Turkey.

ANKARA, TURKEY - MARCH 20: President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) receives Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez al-Sarraj (L) at Presidential Complex in Ankara, Turkey on March 20, 2019.
(Photo by Murat Kula/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Egypt flexes muscles in Mediterranean after Libyan-Turkish agreement

Egypt has conducted extensive military drills in the Mediterranean in a clear response to and a show of strength against the maritime agreement between the Libyan Government of National Accord and Turkey.

Turkey’s military involvement in Libya set to grow

Turkey's formalization of military support to Libya's internationally recognized government has prompted worries of an on-the-ground confrontation with Russia.

Will Libya become Turkey’s next Syria?

The recently signed Turkey-Libya military cooperation deal and maritime delimitation agreement threatened to raise tensions not only in Libya but throughout the Eastern Mediterranean with Turkey asserting the right to intervene militarily in Libya if requested and to drill for oil and gas.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia October 22, 2019. Sputnik/Alexei Druzhinin/Kremlin via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY. - RC11687C0E70

Are Russia and Turkey in tug of war over Libya?

Libya has emerged as a contested issue between Russia and Turkey.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 24 : Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) meets with the Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Fayez Mustafa al-Sarraj (L) during a bilateral meeting, held within the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, Turkey on May 24, 2016. (Photo by Kayhan Ozer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

Turkish-Libyan security, maritime deals spike tensions

Agreements between Turkey and Libya sparked anger among stakeholders in the Libyan civil war and in maritime drilling in the Mediterranean Sea.

Turkish drilling vessel Yavuz sets sail in Izmit Bay, on its way to the Mediterranean Sea, off the port of Dilovasi, Turkey, June 20, 2019. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1334C23B70

As EU mulls response, Ankara doubles down on Libya accords

Facing EU sanctions over gas drilling activities in the Eastern Mediterranean, officials in Ankara have reaffirmed plans to develop contested gas fields and assist the Tripoli government as Greek officials seek international support.

Russia’s 'multilayered pie’ policy on Libya

For all the uncertainty surrounding Russia's presence in Libya, there are some policy drivers to be watched.

Turkish drilling vessel Yavuz is escorted by Turkish Navy frigate TCG Gemlik (F-492) in the eastern Mediterranean Sea off Cyprus, August 6, 2019. Picture taken August 6, 2019. REUTERS/Murad Sezer - RC1256FE7C90

Turkey-Libya agreement shakes up eastern Mediterranean

Ankara is establishing a clear path to fulfill its eastern Mediterranean energy ambitions through an maritime boundary agreement with Libya’s internationally recognized government.

Congress moves to sanction Russians for mercenary surge in Libya

The US National Security Council has begun a review of US policy involving Libya as a congressional bill seeks to sanction Russian mercenaries who have undertaken operations in the war-torn North African country.

Libyan parliamentarians meet in Cairo

As the Berlin conference to resolve the Libyan crisis approaches, members of Libyan House of Representatives met in Cairo in an attempt to rally support for Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter.

Sarraj visit to Sochi exposes rival Russian factions on Libya policy

The visit of Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to Sochi opens some engagement opportunities between Moscow and Tripoli but also exposes challenges.