Libya - Al-Monitor: The Middle Eastʼs leading independent news source since 2012

Libya cover image

Libya

January 20, 2025

Tripoli 8:01 pm

14°C

TOPSHOT - A Syrian rebel fighter (C) looks on as he stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) (Photo by AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Russia eyes Libya as military substitute for Syria? Not so fast, say Libyans

Despite its ambitions to relocate military assets from Syria to Libya following Assad's fall, Russia faces significant challenges in Libya's complex political landscape, limiting its ability to achieve this goal.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

French former president Nicolas Sarkozy (C) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrive to vote for the first round of parliamentary elections in Paris, on June 30, 2024. A divided France is voting in high-stakes parliamentary elections that could see the anti-immigrant and eurosceptic party of Marine Le Pen sweep to power in a historic first. The candidates formally ended their frantic campaigns at midnight June 28, with political activity banned until the first round of voting. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP

France’s Sarkozy stands trial on alleged Libya funding: What we know

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy denies allegations that he received 50 million euros to fund his 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

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.

Latest News

Analysis

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

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.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

Analysis

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

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.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

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

Sign up to our Daily Briefing

Keep up with Al-Monitor's top stories with a morning digest from across the region.

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.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In Exmouth, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Islam Alatrash

In Misrata, reporting on Libyan migration

Mohamed Eljarh

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

Interview

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

Governor Sadiq al-Kabir spoke exclusively to Al-Monitor after he and other senior officials at the Libyan Central Bank fled to Istanbul at the end of last month, as militias linked to Libya's internationally recognized government threatened them.

Sadiq al-Kabir

Sadiq al-Kabir

Governor of the Central Bank of Libya

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.

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

Libyan Central Bank Governor Sadiq al-Qabir speaks during a news conference in Tripoli, Jan. 13, 2012.

Libya central bank governor flees the North African country to avoid militias: Report

The Central Bank has been in crisis for several days, since its head of IT was kidnapped and released.

AFP via Getty Images

Libya's Sarir oil field latest to shut down amid central bank standoff

The Sarir oil field has halted almost all production of around 209,000 barrels per day, engineers said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (R) and Libyan government of national unity prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah (L) pose for a photo during the official ceremony prior to their meeting in Ankara on April 12, 2021. (Photo by Adem ALTAN / AFP) (Photo by ADEM ALTAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Libya upheaval: Why Turkey is mum over heightened tensions in Tripoli

Turkey, one of the two foreign powers with the largest military presence in Libya, conspicuously maintains its silence over the escalating tensions in the country, which experts link to several reasons.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

Libya central bank governor

Analysis

Libya: Behind abduction and failed central bank coup in Tripoli

The bank's head of information technology was abducted on Sunday morning but returned hours later.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Refinery Sarir in Libya.

Libya’s largest oil field sees output reduction after shutdown by protesters

The Sharara field in southwestern Libya, which pumped out nearly 270,000 barrels per day of crude on Saturday, fully halted production Monday and was running at reduced production Tuesday due to ongoing protests.

Migrants from Tunisia and Lybia arrive onboard of an Italian Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) boat in the Italian Pelagie Island of Lampedusa on Aug. 1, 2020.

Analysis

As Europe's far right surges, North Africa immigration takes center stage

The election of far-right politicians in power across Europe will impact EU policy toward North Africa, which has proven to be an invaluable energy partner since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Libya's interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah (R) welcomes Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as she arrives for a meeting in Tripoli on May 7, 2024.

What's behind Italy's growing Libya engagement as Russia influence expands?

Italy is seeking stronger ties with Libya’s rival groups, though this mission may be hindered by several challenges.

An Aerial view Taken by drone of Tripoli, Libya old City . You can see marcus aurelius arch, Cornthia Hotel, Dat Al-Emad, Burj Al-Fatah, Burj Abu-laila & JW Marriot Hotel

Inside the plan to send American diplomats back to Libya

The Biden administration sees a US diplomatic presence in Libya as critical to helping counter Russia’s growing footprint in Africa as well as supporting a UN-led push for elections.

A picture taken on Sept. 17, 2021, shows people queuing to cross into Tunisia through the Libyan Ras Jdeir border crossing.

What’s behind Libya-Tunisia border closure?

Tunisia closed the troubled Ras Jdir crossing following a security incident. Tunisia and Libya are facing a crisis over migrants seeking to reach Europe.

Sudanese army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visits the Flamingo Marine Base in Port Sudan on Aug. 28, 2023.

Sudan’s army ready for 'indirect' talks with Hemedti’s RSF via Libya, Turkey

The Sudanese foreign minister said authorities agreed to Libyan- and Turkish-led indirect negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, amid fears the internal conflict will turn into a proxy war between major international and regional countries.