Libya News and Interests

[dukkha]

A tussle for influence in Libya between France and Italy overhangs the summit. A French-Libyan summit held in Paris in May – to the annoyance of the Italians – set the date for the elections as 10 December, but that timetable has slipped.

The UN special envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salamé, speaking on the fringes of the summit, said the vote would now be held between late March and late June, but the format would depend on what was decided at the national conference scheduled for early next year.

“We want to ask at the national conference: what type of election do you want, parliamentary or presidential, and what kind of law,” he said.

Salamé said the national conference should “preferably” take place on Libyan soil, adding that surveys had shown 80% of Libyans wanted elections to end the stalemate between the country’s rival administrations, both of which have been backed by armed groups.

Leaders of the internationally recognised house of representatives, politically close to Haftar, called for the dismissal of the envoy after he criticised its members for being “time wasting”, “sterile” and wanting elections to be “resisted at all costs”.

Salamé showed no signs of backing down, insisting the Palermo conference needed to put pressure on the house for persistently refusing to approve a new election law, and generally obstructing progress.

He has been supported by his deputy, Stephanie Williams, an American whose appointment signals a reignited US interest in Libya.

Monday was devoted to technical meetings on economics, sectarian and security issues, among the main Libyan institutions and representatives of the foreign powers, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

The UN has been trying to engineer a merger of the two rival central banks, starting with a financial audit of both, as well as measures to reduce corruption and the black market, and edge towards a unified security sector.

Mustafa Sanallah, the chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation, said: “Economic transparency was the way to guarantee the fair distribution of oil revenues and bring an end to the feelings of economic injustice that have fragmented Libya.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/20...ibya-diplomats

[dukkha]

Libyan govt says Gaddafi's billions were ‘not misused’ despite UN report
nterest on Muammar Gaddafi’s frozen funds in Belgian banks is not subject to UN sanctions and has not been misused or embezzled, the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) insisted following reports to the contrary.

The interest payments amounting to nearly €5 billion ($5.7 billion) had been deposited in “special authority accounts abroad,” until the end of October 2017, when the payments stopped, the LIA said, as quoted by the Saudi-owned Al-Arabiya network. The accounts are in Luxembourg, the UK and Bahrain, the Libyan agency noted.

Gaddafi’s assets were frozen in 2011, when NATO intervened on behalf of rebels in Libya to overthrow the long-time leader. Citing British and Belgian legal documents, the LIA insists that interest on frozen assets is not subject to the sanctions, and had been regularly paid out to their accounts. Where exactly the funds went, however, is still being investigated.

Nearly $70 billion from the Libyan Investment Authority was seized across Europe and North America shortly after the UN introduced the sanctions. However, the European authorities had reportedly frozen only the principal amount, allowing the interest and dividends earned since 2011 to be paid out.

The work of the LIA has been negatively impacted by the long-standing political instability in war-torn Libya. Over the past seven years, the organization has seen four presidents, some of them installed by armed groups in control of Tripoli who interfered in LIA's work, according to the UN report.
https://www.rt.com/business/443727-l...rozen-belgium/

[anatta]

Libya uses tear gas, rubber bullets to force migrants off ship


Libyan authorities have used rubber bullets and tear gas to forcibly disembark more than 90 refugees and migrants who had refused to leave a cargo ship docked in the port of Misrata.

The Panama-flagged ship rescued them off the Libyan coast 10 days ago, as their boat began sinking, and brought them to Misrata. Once there, 14 disembarked willingly but, in the first documented case of its kind,
the other 92 refused to leave.

"A joint force raided the cargo ship and used rubber bullets and tear gas to force [them off the ship]

the commander of the central region coastguards, Tawfiq Esskair, told the Reuters news agency by phone on Tuesday.

Some of those on board were wounded during disembarkation but were now "in good condition" after treatment in hospital, and all had been taken to a detention centre in the city, said Esskair.
Refugees and migrants on the cargo ship [Sally Hayden/Al Jazeera]

During the 10-day standoff, the migrants pleaded to be taken to Europe,
saying they are prepared to die than be returned to detention in the North African country.

Two of those on board - Kai, 18, and Daniel, 16, both from South Sudan - told Al Jazeera earlier this week that it was too dangerous to go back to the centres, where they risk being abused and sold to people smugglers while having little hope of being evacuated.

The group was brought to Misrata on November 10, four days after setting sail in a rubber boat with the hope of reaching Italy.
Daniel said that the rubber boat had travelled almost 200km before the Panamanian-flagged cargo ship, The Nivin, crossed its path.

Both Daniel and Kai said the crew on board The Nivin told them they would be taken to Italy, but instead brought them to Misrata.

While many on board said they survived torture by human traffickers in Libya, others had stories about serious abuses in official detention centres.

Al Jazeera has previously heard reports of deaths in detention centres run by the Libyan Department for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) which has not responded to multiple requests for comment.

Libya's western coast has been a main departure point for refugees and migrants fleeing wars and poverty and hoping for new lives in Europe.

But since last year, heavy pressure from Italy - which had been bearing the brunt of arrivals - resulted in the disruption of coastal smuggling networks and the withdrawal of charity rescue ships.
https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/...172005338.html

[anatta]

Libya's oil company says eight gunmen attacked a substation of its southwestern Sharara oilfield but no employees were hurt and production was unaffected.


Wednesday's statement from the National Oil Corporation says the attackers stole three company vehicles and mobile phones in the assault, which took place on Tuesday. Management of the subsidiary running the site, Akakus, along with security teams and regional authorities are seeking out the perpetrators.

The company says the attack "serves to show the ongoing need for heightened security at NOC and subsidiary facilities," adding that oil sector remains a plush target for thieves.

[anatta]

Libya has three interrelated challenges, and these challenges are in the political, security and economic spheres, Libya’s Minister of Planning Taher Jehami said.

Jehami was speaking on day two of the Rome 2018 Mediterranean Dialogues conference at the
“Enhancing Libya’s Economy: The Complementary Path to Stabilization” session.

It was a rare occasion where Libya’s internationally-recognized Planning Minister was heard elaborating the country’s economic policy.

“Whatever happens in the political sphere affects the other two”. The effect of the Palermo conference on Libya on the political situation “will help the security and economic reforms” that the Faiez Serraj regime is currently implementing, he added.

“Palermo may make the reunification of Libya’s economic institutions, such as its Central Bank (CBL), much easier”.

The recently introduced economic reforms of the Tripoli-based Faiez Serraj Libyan government “are only a start, but they need to be completed and need to become more comprehensive”, he explained.

“Already since their introduction in September, there have been positive results from Libya’s economic reforms”.

These, Jehami explained, can be seen in four main ways:
Firstly, the gap between the black-market and official foreign exchange rate has narrowed by about 20 percent.

Secondly, foreign currency is now more available to both businesses and the general public.

Thirdly, the liquidity crunch is receding, and it “may disappear” altogether “in weeks”.
And finally, “prices are coming down”.

This is a good start for the economic reforms, insisted Jehami, but there is still the need for the introduction of fuel subsidy reform.

Fuel subsidies are are a drain on the country’s finances, taking up 12 percent of the state budget.
These could take between 18-24 months to introduce fully.

There are also hidden subsidies such as electricity tariffs that need reforming.

Jehami said that Libya needs to restructure its budget to be more productive and less consumptive.

Libya has made some cost savings such as the reduction of its diplomatic missions abroad (which ate paid in hard currency).

Jehami also confirmed that Libya no longer has a current account deficit. He also expects that the foreign exchange rate to “stabilize” to a level that both the CBL and private sector “will be happy with”.

On Libya’s stalled projects, he added that his government was working with the World Bank in assessing these projects. The implication is that some projects would be prioritized whilst others would be delayed or cancelled.

Jehami said that his government was also talking to the World Bank on how to spend its money, how to raise money, and how to get the private sector more involved in the economy.

Tripoli’s Central Bank of Libya Governor Saddek El-Kaber insisted that there is only “one Central Bank” in Libya.
He confirmed that the two CBL “branches” had agreed the terms of reference with the UN Security Council on auditing the two branches – which Faiez Serraj had requested.

However, El-Kaber said that he did not see the two CBL branches reuniting unless first, there is political reunification of the country.

CBL Board Member, Tarik Yousef (Magarief) said that Libya has come some way since 2017 when the distance in outlook and how to move forward between the CBL and the Faiez Serraj Presidency Council and Government of National Accord was wide.

He said that it was an important start and that the economic measures were long overdue.

Revealingly, he said that in his view, the secret to this success was the role of the international community – and specifically the U.S.A.

He said that Libya’s institutional fragmentation was caused by its political fragmentation, but that the CBL had survived despite this political split.

He felt that the CBL was still effective and that these economic reforms were proof of that.

He hoped that the international community would shield Libya from further international interference in order to enable it to move forward.

Michael Schaffer, the World Bank’s (WB) Representative in Libya revealed that the WB will open its office in Tripoli in the next few weeks.

He said that the WB will now play a more proactive role in Libya.

He explained that in 2018 the WB had succeeded in reunifying the country’s budget structure and one payment authority. However, there was still expenditure outside the budget.

He explained that Libya’s Ministry of Finance are trying to introduce better accountability and that the WB was helping with priority spending.

He said that it needs to impose fiscal rules to prevent overspending and needs to reintroduce financial controls for better transparency and accountability.
https://www.libyaherald.com/2018/11/...en-successful/

[anatta]

The prophet Mohamed’s birthday was celebrated across Libya yesterday in a return to age-old traditions. Celebrations, however, are considered heresy by new Islamic trends in Libya
https://www.libyaherald.com/2018/11/...e-of-salafism/

With overt enthusiasm, Libyans openly celebrated Prophet Mohamed’s birthday (the Mawlid al-Nabawi or Miloud) this year, reinvigorating life into an old traditional practice recently prosecuted, silenced and perceived as un-Islamic by some Islamic interpretations.

The Sufi turuqs (orders) have been an integral part and in the forefront of mainstream Islamic traditions in Libya for centuries.

Indeed, long before they were labled as Sufis or traditional Malikies, the Islamic Sufi school has taken pride in overtly celebrating the Prophet’s birthday.

Mawlid organizing Majalis have been composing religious poetry (hymns) and performing various types of ceremonial rituals, including, food and gift hand-outs to children and the poor.

“As for the Sufi turuqs and Shaykhs, we are ready to celebrate the Mawlid. In addition to civil societies who insist on taking part in the event”. head of the honourable Ashraf (Ahlul Bayt) the descendants of the Prophet) syndicate and head of the Supreme Council of Sufi turuqs in Libya, Ezzideen Al-Shaikhi, told the Libya Herald earlier this week.
“We have coordinated with the security authorities to protect the celebrators and the marching” adds Al-Shaikhi.

This comes on the back of an anti Maulid movement after the 2011 Libyan revolution by non-state militias and religious movements.

Starting in early 2012 Sufi shrines, tombs and libraries were constantly attacked and demolished, and Shaykhs were assassinated and hounded.

The Abdulsalam Al-Asmar Al-Feitouri shrine and Quranic Zawiya in Zliten, 147 Kilometres east of Tripoli, was attacked in August 2012 by a Salafist group.

The shrine was blown up, partly demolishing the Zawia, vandalizing the grave and burning down the library, including 700-year old manuscripts, which tUNESCO’s Director-General Irina Bokova condemned at the time.

However, this year, Sufis were ready to openly celebrate the Mawlid and revive a long-craved traditions, with preparations for the day in both eastern and western Libya.

On 8 November, the predominantly Salafists Ministry of Awqaf (religious endowment) and Islamic Affairs in the Beida-based government of Abdullah Thinni issued a statement urging mosque Imams to speak up against the Mawlid celebrations, projecting it as a sheer “Beda” or heresy.

However, this attracted much criticism and ridicule by Libyans on social media. “We are sorry to hear these accusations of Shirk and heresy from the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs. We demand the Interim Government put a stop to them speaking of such dangerous accusations”, said Al-Shaikhi.

It will be recalled that the eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA) Chief of Staff Abdulrazig Alnaduri gave his permission for the reopening of the Sufi Zawias and schools in April this year.

“We asked the Maj-General Alnaduri for the reopening of the Zawias. He agreed, but the Awqaf and Islamic Affairs Authority opposed the decision and said they are to house the internally displaced in these Zawias instead” said Al-Shaikhi.

“They came with heavily armed vehicles to prevent the reopening and threatened to use violence. We went back to Alnaduri who finally issued another decree that separates the Zawias from the Awqaf and attaching it to the Ashraf Syndicate”, said Al-Shaikhi.

The Hounrable Ashraf Syndicate was founded on 22 June 2016 in Shahat (Cyrene) in eastern Libya.

Sufis and Salafists have had well-documented standoffs in post-2011 Libya.

In November last year preparations for the Mawlid event at one of Tripoli’s oldest Sufi centers and Zawia of the Shaikha Radiya mosque was preemptively thwarted at dawn by unknown assailants.

Widely believed to have been carried out by a Salafist group, they burned down the mosque and its small Quranic school.

Meanwhile, the more miitant Salafist “Mudkhalists” gained a greater role and managed to take control of eastern Libya’s religious authorities and secured a strong footing within the LNA coalition.

They labelled different Sunni schools as “strayed” sects, grave worshippers and “Kharijites”. In the case of the Ibadi branch of Muslims, the form of Islam followed largely by Libya’s Amazigh community, the attack sparked nationwide fury and condemnation in July 2017.

“As for other Islamic trends and schools, like Ibadis, we consider them brothers as we are all Muslims. We hold nothing but love and gratitude for them. We are indeed in contact, as we preach peace and love and equally condemn violence and blood and respect different understandings of Islam”, Al-Shaikhi added.

There are several Sufi turuqs (orders) in Libya, most notably “Al-Essawiya, Al-Qaderiya, Al-Tijaniya, Al-Zarrouqiya, Al-Rifa’iya, Al-Khaliliya and the Al-Derqawiya” states Al-Shaikhi. These sub-schools of turuqs are accredited to Sufi Shaykhs. Unlike Mudkhalis, Sufis are perceived as a non-violent Islamic trend both in historic and modern accounts. Although Jihad philosophy has been a core obligation, mostly devoted to self-defence and directed against colonialists.

Yesterday, the internationally-recognized Libyan government put its official stamp on the Maulid celebrations when Faiez Serraj took part in the event.

[anatta]

[QUOTE=noise;2742637]
A girl walks past a wall with graffiti about the al-Qaida network in Kano, Nigeria.
An airstrike this week by U.S. Africa Command targeted Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb, near al-Uwaynat, Libya

https://www.voanews.com/a/us-conduct...a/4681542.html
VOA source:

A U.S. airstrike in Libya has killed 11 al-Qaida terrorists, the military said Friday.

U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) said the strike Thursday near al-Uwaynat also destroyed three vehicles
of the group al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM).

The military said no civilians were killed or injured.

"AFRICOM will use precision strikes to deny terrorists safe haven in Libya … and they remain vulnerable wherever they are," U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Gregg P. Olson, AFRICOM's director of operations, said in a press release.

This is the third U.S. strike against AQIM in Libya. The last counter-AQIM strike killed one terrorist in June.

[anatta]

al-Uwaynat =sw Libyan desert


camp

[anatta]

Unknown gunmen attack court in Libya's Benghazi
http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/201..._137674124.htm

Benghazi courthouse blown up

TRIPOLI, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- The primary court of the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi on Thursday was attacked by unidentified gunmen trying to free prisoners, the Libyan Judges Organization said late Thursday.

"An unknown group attacked the headquarters and the Primary court of Benghazi with medium weapons in an attempt to disrupt the judicial work, release prisoners by force, and obstruct the court's work," the organization said in a statement.

"The Libyan Judges Organization condemns the attack. It strongly condemns the insecurity and inability of the state's official agencies to carry out their duties, which will ultimately undermine the public's confidence in official institutions," the organization said.

The organization called on the government to take necessary measures to provide security for the people and public institutions.

Weak security and a lack of police forces have resulted in regular escapes of inmates.
The largest prisoner case took place in Tripoli in September, when more than 400 inmates broke out of the jail during clashes between government forces and armed militias.

[anatta]

Libya interested in Russia’s military training
https://nation.com.pk/14-Dec-2018/li...itary-training

Germany pledges 2.5 million euros to stabilization in Libya
https://www.libyanexpress.com/german...tion-in-libya/
Since April 2016, SFL has provided quick rehabilitation of critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and schools, boosted the capacity of municipalities and the engagement between the central government and municipalities, as well as supported local governments to develop conflict management processes. So far, approximately two million people are benefitting from services restored by the Facility in Benghazi, Kikla, Ubari, Sebha, Sirt, Bani Walid and Greater Tripoli. The new SFL—Stronger for Libya will continue to enhance the capacities of the country to deliver services to its citizens, now giving an effective voice to women and youth, and ensuring that local strategies flow from, are linked to, and contribute to reaching the national goal of recovery and stabilization.

[anatta]

Libya returned 1,700 artifacts looted since 2011
https://www.libyanexpress.com/libya-...ed-since-2011/


Leptis-Magna, Libya
~~
Insecurity and looting have hit Libya’s archaeological sites in the chaos and fighting that followed the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, as rival groups struggle to consolidate control of the country.

Ahmed Hussein is Head of the Eastern Libya Antiquities Department. He explained that Libya’s international heritage sites are now endangered.

“The international heritage sites in Libya has been designated as endangered sites due to the security situation in Libya. A country that is going through war will see its historical artifacts also placed on the list of endangered sites. It will not attract the attention of countries or international institutions in the countries that have armed conflict.” Reuters reported on Wednesday.

“In the absence of foreign tourists and the sites visited only by Libyan families on weekend trips, locals have seized land at the sites and vandals have smeared graffiti on columns and walls. Efforts to preserve ruins are further hampered by the fact that Libya has two governments and a 2013 law that allowed people to reclaim land confiscated under Gaddafi.” Reuters added.

Hussein said, “There have been grave infringements despite the efforts of the tourist police and Shahhat archaeological authority to stop these, but it still exists. This is due to the power struggle between civilians and security forces.” according to Reuters.

Hussein said about 1,700 artifacts looted in the country had been returned since 2011.
Libya is home to five of UNESCO’s 1,092 World Heritage sites, listed for their outstanding universal value.

[anatta]

IS kills 6 hostages in Libya, UN confirms United Nations Cooperation Mission in Libya has confirmed that the terrorist organization Islamic State has killed six people hostage during the al-Fokha attack in October.

[anatta]

Before the fall of Muammar Gaddafi,
Libya attracted economic migrants seeking a better future from all over the world.
But since the 2011 revolution the economic and security situation has sharply deteriorated,
and many who have been living in the country for decades are now trying to leave.

FRANCE 24's James André, Julie Dungelhoeff and Abdallah Malkawi spoke to some of them.
https://www.france24.com/en/video/20...pt-return-home

Video interviews!

[anatta]

Economic Reforms Offer Scant Relief in Heart of Libya’s Capital

Efforts to cut black-market exchange rates haven’t done enough to ease the pinch for Tripoli's former middle class
https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-...ital-1.6746057

People shop at a market in the old city of Tripoli, Libya November 24, 2018.

The 60-year-old is typical of Libya’s once well-to-do middle class, impoverished by high inflation and devaluation during years of conflict in what used to be one of the Arab world’s wealthiest countries.

In contrast, armed groups whose commanders cruise Tripoli’s potholed streets in luxury cars have become rich by forcing authorities to hire them and grant them cheap dollars they can change on the black market for a premium.

To tackle this “war economy,” Tripoli’s internationally recognized government in
September effectively devalued the exchange rate to 3.9 dinars per dollar from 1.3.

That cut the black market rate from 6 to 5.2, which shoppers and traders
said had slightly eased prices for food and other goods, many of which are imported.

But for Farhat, who lives on a pension of 400 dinars per month, it made little difference. The wedding of his youngest daughter, his seventh child, is coming up, and jewelry for the bride is a must in Libya.

“I have been coming every day for a month hoping that [gold] prices go down,” he said. “Normal people are just suffering,” he said.

Gold prices have dipped a little to around 180 dinars ($46) an ounce since the devaluation, but are still triple their level in 2014 when the dinar started diving due to volatile oil revenues, Libya’s lifeline.

“The gold market is still very, very weak. Seventy-five percent of people coming are just asking,” said gold trader Abdelhamid al-Zawi, standing in front of his empty shop.

Economic policies are distorted by rivalry between the Tripoli government and a parallel administration in the east that set up its own central bank in the aftermath of the NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gadhafi in 2011.

Overall oil revenue is up: The Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation expects income from crude and oil product sales to hit $23.7 billion in 2018, a 73% jump from last year.

But money in the banks can be scarce. Many keep cash at home as they do not trust banks or play the black market.

To undermine street dealers based just behind the Tripoli central bank headquarters and gold merchants doubling as currency traders, authorities slapped a 183% fee on commercial hard currency deals in September, moving the rate to 3.9.

They also stopped restricting credit letters for imports, which Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeg said would help end the liquidity crisis by early 2019.

For a small and well-connected elite, money is still flowing as they keep a grip on business and oil revenues.
In Tripoli’s upmarket neighborhoods, sleek stores sell international fashion brands and new restaurants and cafes are opening.

But elsewhere in the capital, building projects halted during the 2011 uprising litter the skyline and rubbish lies uncollected. Many are still queuing at banks hoping to access their salaries but are unable to withdraw significant amounts.

“Sometimes you get 150 dinars. What can you do with that?” said Mahdi Ali Makhfuth, another retiree shopping for food with two sons.

Authorities have also allowed citizens to bring up to $10,000 from abroad with credit cards, which Maiteeg said was bringing down the black market rate.

But Makhfuth dismissed the measure as benefiting the rich. “Do normal citizens have 40,000 dinars in their accounts? No,” he said, referring to the amount needed to access that maximum dollar allowance.

After a series of raids on the black market since September, dealers who use black plastic bags to carry dollars and wheelbarrows for devalued dinars have simply shifted into the labyrinth of the old city.

And despite new central bank measures to prevent currency scams, Alaeldin Elmasallati, commissioner at Libya’s audit bureau, said they would still be possible due to lack of enforcement capacity.

[anatta]

A fighter from Libyan forces allied with the U.N.-backed government sits in an armoured vehicle during a battle with Islamic State militants in their remaining holdouts, in neighborhood Number Three in Sirte, Libya, October 8, 2016. REUTERS
https://www.libyanexpress.com/possib...central-libya/

On Friday night, local media outlets and local sources from central Libya reported advances of military formations of brigades related to Khalifa Haftar’s self-styled army toward southwestern Sirte towns.

Brigade 106 and Brigade of Tariq Bin Ziyad, which is known to be linked to Salafist-Madkhalist ideology of Saudi Arabia, were reported as advancing on Wadi Al-Hamar, Wadi Abu Najim, Wadi Al-Lood and other areas outside Sirte and close to the central region – especially Misrata.

The former spokesman for the Operation Al-Bunyan Al-Masrous that defeated ISIS in Sirte Mohammed Al-Ghasri told local news outlets in Libya that they had told the advancing forces to leave the central region and the outskirts of Sirte, “and they left.”

In the meantime, eyewitnesses in Misurata reported Saturday afternoon a number of warplanes hovering over the city.

According to analysts, the movement of Haftar-loyal forces toward Sirte and the central region hints at a new conflict that could add another nail to the Libyan coffin and thus start a new war that could very well spill over to Tripoli.