Libya

Libya’s Haftar acquires combat drones despite UN embargo

Eastern Libya's military leader, Khalifa Haftar, has acquired what appear to be Chinese and Turkish combat drones, Reuters reporting has found, despite a long-standing U.N. embargo on supplying weapons to…

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Mystery Blaze Off Malta as Sanctioned Russian LNG Tanker Explodes in Suspected Drone Strike

A sanctioned Russian LNG tanker believed to form part of Moscow’s so-called “shadow fleet” has been destroyed in a mysterious explosion in international waters to the southeast of Malta, with…

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Deaths surge on Mediterranean migration corridor to historic high — UN

The start of this year has been the deadliest on record for migrants crossing the Mediterranean Sea, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration. At least 606…

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Updated: Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, son of ex-Libyan leader, assasinated

Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the second son of Libya’s former ruler Muammar Gaddafi, has been killed at the age of 53 in an attack at his residence in Zintan, western Libya.…

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UPDATED: Libyan army’s chief dies in plane crash in Turkey

The Libyan army's chief of staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad, died in a plane crash on Tuesday after leaving Turkey's capital Ankara, the prime minister of Libya's internationally recognised government…

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Pakistan to strike multi-billion-dollar fighter jet deal with Libya’s Haftar

Pakistan and Benghazi are in the process of signing a major defense memorandum of understanding that could include the supply of 16 to 18 JF-17 Thunder fighter jets, in a…

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Libyan prison commander extradited to ICC on war crimes charges

A Libyan national accused of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in a Tripoli detention facility has been transferred from Germany to the International Criminal Court (ICC). Khaled Mohamed…

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Systemic Abuse in Libya’s Fuel Sector Redirects Subsidised Stocks to Multiple Markets, Including Malta

A surge in state-sanctioned fuel smuggling between 2022 and 2024 cost the Libyan people about $20bn (£15bn) in lost revenue – an alarming sum that demands decisive international sanctions against…

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Libya urged to shut migrant detention centres at U.N. meeting

Libya was urged at a U.N. meeting on Tuesday to close detention centres where rights groups say migrants and refugees have been tortured, abused and sometimes killed. Multiple states including…

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Libyan Security Forces Apprehend Warlord at Center of Controversy in Italy

Libyan warlord Osama Al-Masri Njeem, controversially released from jail by Italian authorities in January, was arrested Wednesday in Tripoli on charges of torture and violence against prisoners. “As sufficient evidence…

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Red Crescent Confirms Fatalities After Migrant Vessel Capsizes Near Libya

The bodies of at least 18 migrants, who died when their boat capsized west of Libya's capital Tripoli, were recovered while over 90 survivors were rescued, a local Red Crescent…

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EU-backed Libyan coastguard increasing violent attacks at sea, report finds

Libyan militias have increased attacks on migrants and humanitarian workers in the central Mediterranean in recent years, according to a new report by search-and-rescue NGO Sea-Watch. The report, published Tuesday,…

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At Least 370 Dead, 300 Missing on Central Mediterranean Migrant Route in 2025

At least 370 people have died and 300 remain missing on the Central Mediterranean migrant route between January 1 and August 9, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM)…

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Libyan ICC war crimes suspect arrested in Germany

German authorities have arrested a Libyan war crimes suspect accused of being a senior official for a notorious prison where inmates were routinely tortured and sometimes sexually abused, the International…

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British Diplomatic Personnel in Libya Come Under Fire as Instability Deepens

British diplomats came under fire in Tripoli late last month, as Libya is wracked by rising instability and geopolitical tension. At around 6 a.m. on June 26, two U.K. embassy…

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EU Diplomatic Setback Coincides with Heightened Military Activity Near Tripoli

The United Nations on Wednesday urged all Libyan factions to refrain from inflammatory rhetoric and military maneuvers around Tripoli, warning of the risk of renewed conflict, as tensions mount following…

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Libya’s eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers including Malta’s

Libyan officials ordered EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner and several senior European ministers to leave the country. cdBrunner, on a diplomatic mission with government ministers from Italy, Greece and Malta,…

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BP, Shell to study hydrocarbon potential at three Libyan oilfields

Oil Majors BP and Shell agreed with Libya's National Oil Corp (NOC) to conduct studies for hydrocarbon exploration and development at three Libyan oilfields, NOC said in a statement. Libya,…

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Limpet Mine May Have Struck Greek Tanker Near Libya

A limpet mine may have caused a blast that damaged a Greek tanker sailing off Libya's coast last week, the fifth such incident to hit commercial shipping in the region…

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No injuries or pollution after explosion at oil tanker off Libya

A Greek-managed oil tanker carrying about 1 million barrels of crude oil suffered an explosion off Libya on June 27 but no injuries or pollution were reported, a spokesperson for…

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Turkey to start exploring for gas off Libya

Turkey is moving slowly and methodically in its developing relations with Libya so as not to disrupt the delicate balance it has achieved with the United States, as is evident…

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Libya objects to Greek tender for hydrocarbon exploration off Crete

Libya's internationally recognised government of national unity has objected to Greece's approval of an international tender for hydrocarbon exploration off the island of Crete, saying some of the blocks infringe…

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249 Dead in Central Mediterranean So Far in 2025: IOM

At least 249 people have died while attempting to cross the Central Mediterranean Sea so far this year, the U.N.’s International Organization for Migration said. Another 226 migrants remain missing…

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Libya’s eastern-based government says it may announce force majeure on oil fields, ports

Libya's eastern-based government said it may announce a force majeure on oil fields and ports citing "repeated assaults on the National Oil Corporation (NOC)." The government in Benghazi is not…

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Reports of NATO drone on ‘unusual’ patrol off Libyan coast

A NATO surveillance drone carried out an extended reconnaissance mission off Libya’s coast after experiencing communication problems during a flight towards the Black Sea, according to Italian aviation monitoring website…

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US embassy in Tripoli denies report of planned relocation of Palestinians to Libya

The U.S. embassy in Libya denied on Sunday a report that the U.S. government was working on a plan to relocate Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to Libya. On Thurdsay,…

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U.S. Envoy Signals Renewed Engagement in Libya Amid Escalating Violence

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff expressed optimism about Washington's role in resolving Libya's protracted crisis, stating Thursday that success is forthcoming. In an interview with The Atlantic, Witkoff remarked,…

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Gunbattles resume in Tripoli despite ceasefire

Fresh gunbattles erupted in the Libyan capital between two powerful armed groups, a security official said, a day after authorities declared the fighting over. Clashes flared between the Radaa force…

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Libya fighting calms after truce announced

The worst fighting in Libya's capital for years calmed on Wednesday an hour after the government announced a ceasefire, Tripoli residents said, with no immediate statement from authorities on how…

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Gunfire erupts in Tripoli after armed group leader’s death

Armed clashes erupted on Monday evening and gunfire has echoed in the city center and other parts of the Libyan capital Tripoli following reports that an armed group leader was…

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U.S. may soon deport migrants to Libya on military flight

U.S. President Donald Trump's administration may deport migrants to Libya for the first time this week, three U.S. officials said, as part of his immigration crackdown and despite Washington's past…

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Lockerbie bombing whistleblower arrested in Libya

A Libyan writer and politician who published documents linking his country's intelligence service to the Lockerbie bombing has been arrested on national security charges. Samir Shegwara was taken into custody…

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Bodies of migrants recovered in two locations in Libya

At least 29 bodies of migrants have been recovered in two locations in the southeast and west of Libya, a security directorate and the Libyan Red Crescent said on Thursday.…

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Head of Libya’s National Oil Corporation resigns

The head Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, has resigned due to "health issues," and Masoud Sulaiman has been appointed as acting chief, the state oil company said. The…

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UN Libya mission alarmed by reported torture footage in detention facility

The U.N. Libya mission expressed its alarm over what it said was footage circulating on social media featuring "brutal torture and ill-treatment" of detainees at the Gernada detention facility in…

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Libya expels 600 Nigeriens

More than 600 people have been forcibly deported from Libya on a “dangerous and traumatising” journey across the Sahara, in what is thought to be one of the largest expulsions…

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Libya: A New Hub for Russian Ambitions

In the aftermath of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's ousting, Russia has redirected its military focus to Libya, conducting a series of flights to a desert airbase in eastern Libya. This…

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Russia Shifts Military Focus from Syria to Libya, Sparking Mediterranean Security Concerns

In a move raising alarm in Europe, Russia is reportedly relocating military resources from its Syrian base at Tartus to Libya, a shift Italy’s defense minister has described as a…

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UN launches fresh attempt to resolve Libya’s election impasse

The United Nations will convene a technical committee of Libyan experts in an attempt to resolve contentious issues and put the country on the path to long-awaited national elections, the…

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More than 300 migrants detained in Libyan desert, military force says

Libyan soldiers said on Monday they had detained more than 300 migrants who were crossing the desert and trying to make it to the shores of the Mediterranean. Aerial photos…

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Libya ties priority for Italy, EU says Meloni in Tripoli

Relations with Libya are a priority for Italy and the European Union, Premier Giorgia Meloni said Tuesday on her fourth visit to Tripoli since becoming Italy's first woman premier two…

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NOC, EU discuss cooperation in oil, gas and renewed energy

The Head of the European Union [EU) Delegation to Libya, Nicola Orlando, discussed with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, cooperation…

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Libya central bank deal could resolve ‘all political issues’, says head of state

A deal backed by leaders on both sides of Libya’s political divide to appoint a new central bank governor has the potential “to resolve all the political issues” in the…

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Libya oil exports still mostly shut, some ships loading from storage

Libyan oil exports remained largely halted, shipping data showed, but some tankers were being allowed to load crude from storage, with output still curtailed amid a political standoff over the…

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Libya’s oil blockade widens as factions vie to control central bank

Libya's oil blockade widened with eastern leaders demanding western authorities back down over the replacement of the central bank governor, a key position in a state where control over oil…

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UN warns Libya faces economic collapse

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) issued a statement late on Monday expressing deep concern "over the deteriorating situation in Libya resulting from unilateral decisions." Disputes over control…

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Libya’s eastern-based government to close all oilfields

The Libyan eastern-based government said on Monday that all oilfields are closing down, halting production and exports, but the country's Tripoli-based National Oil Corp, which controls oil resources, has not…

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UN expresses concern at Libya armed mobilisation

The United Nations Libya mission said late on Thursday it was concerned about reports of forces mobilising in Tripoli and threats of force to resolve a crisis over control of…

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UPDATED: Libya central bank reopens after kidnapped official freed

Libya's central bank (CBL) says it has resumed operations following the release of a bank official who had been abducted from his home. CBL confirmed the release of Musaab Muslamm,…

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Libya’s Interior Ministry Issues Warning on Importing Predatory Animals

The Libyan Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Unity has issued a stern warning against importing predatory animals into Libya, cautioning that violators will face legal consequences. The…

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India loosens restrictions on nationals wishing to travel to Libya

Indian authorities announced easing travel restrictions to Libya, after a travel ban was imposed on its citizens 8 years ago, explaining its new decision was taken after the "improved security…

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Attempts to shut operations at the Sharara oil field in Libya

Libya's internationally recognised government condemned attempts to shut operations at the Sharara oil field, describing them as "political blackmail". In a statement, the government said it would not spare efforts…

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Libyan court jails 12 officials over deadly floods in Derna

A Libyan court has jailed 12 officials in connection with the collapse of a series of dams in Derna last year that killed thousands of the city's residents, the Attorney…

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Armed Bandits Disrupt Mediterranean Migrant Rescue Mission

An aid group rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean reported that one of its missions was interrupted by armed bandits who commandeered the smugglers' overloaded boat after the migrants jumped into…

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UPDATED: UN rights chief says investigating mass grave on Libya-Tunisia border

The U.N. human rights chief said on Tuesday that his office was following up on reports of a mass grave in the desert along the Libya-Tunisia border, after the bodies…

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Risks multiply for Mediterranean-bound migrants, UN study shows

More migrants and refugees are embarking on dangerous journeys across Africa towards the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea where they face growing risk of abuse such as kidnapping and…

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Russia denies reports of hundreds of Wagner Group fighters in Libya

The Libya Observer reports that the Russian Embassy in Libya has denied recent reports alleging that hundreds of Wagner fighters have arrived in Libya. It described the information as baseless…

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