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Libya

February 17, 2026

Tripoli 1:23 pm

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Masoud Suleman, acting chairman of Libya's National Oil Corporation, and other corporate representatives pose for a photo during a conference announcing the first new grants of oil exploration and production licenses in 17 years, in Libya's capital, Tripoli, on Feb. 11, 2026.

Analysis

Libya’s oil revival powers on despite shaky investment thesis

Libya’s National Oil Corporation announced winners for the country's first oil and gas licensing round in 17 years — a milestone for an OPEC member that has lurched from civil war to uneasy truce since 2011.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Saif al-Islam Gadhafi, son of Libyan leader Moamer Gadhafi, speaks during an interview with AFP in Tripoli on Feb. 26, 2011.

Saif Islam Gadhafi, son of late Libyan ruler, killed in gunfight: What to know

Gadhafi was a key figure in his father Moammar Gadhafi's regime, and faced legal prosecution for his alleged roles in crimes against Libyans.

Loading docks at the port of Libya's northwestern city of Misrata during a ceremony marking the completion of the first phase of the Misrata Free Zone project, on June 25, 2022.

Qatari, Swiss firms to invest $2.7B in Libya's Misrata port: What to know

Libya is seeking to increase its non-oil shipping capacity amid rising oil production and signs of both economic progress and turmoil.

From Egypt to Lebanon: What’s at stake for regional states on Trump’s visa ban list?

The State Department claimed that citizens from the affected countries are more likely to use social welfare services at a high rate.

Latest News

Jet carrying Libyan army chief crashes after departing Ankara

In this photograph taken on Oct. 2, 2018, Gen. Mohammad Ali al-Haddad is pictured in the Libyan capital Tripoli. (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey seeks two-year extension of Libya troop mandate

Libyan military graduates loyal to the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) take part in a parade marking their graduation, a result of a military training agreement with Turkey, at the Omar Mukhtar camp in the city of Tajoura, southeast of the capital Tripoli on November 21, 2020. (Photo by Mahmud TURKIA / AFP) (Photo by MAHMUD TURKIA/AFP via Getty Images)

Turkey seeks to bolster Eastern Med foothold in new Libya energy talks

A picture taken on Sept. 24, 2020, shows a partial view of the Brega oil port some 270 kilometers west of Libya's eastern city of Benghazi.

Algeria's Sonatrach latest foreign oil major to resume Libya drilling

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohamed Eljarh

US President Donald Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, on May 23, 2025.

Trump travel ban bars entry from Iran, Libya, Sudan, Yemen

The president during his first term issued a number of travel bans largely aimed at Middle Eastern countries, and the new one targets countries the administration says have insufficient vetting procedures and internal security risks.

In this pool photograph distributed by Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) and Libya's eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar (L) attend their meeting in Moscow on May 10, 2025, during celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union's victory over Nazi Germany in World War Two. (Photo by Gavriil GRIGOROV / POOL / AFP) (Photo by GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Mi-26s and T-62s: What Russia's military backing of Haftar means for Libya

A sweeping display of arms and alliances in Benghazi reflects Khalifa Haftar’s effort to project statehood, Moscow’s deeper investment in Libya, and a shifting power balance that could reshape peace prospects.

Francesco Schiavi

By Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Protests in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025.

Protests surge as Libyans demand PM Dbeibeh’s resignation: What to know

The latest protests were triggered by clashes between government-aligned militias in mid-May that left eight dead and deepened public frustration over militia control in Tripoli.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 11, 2025.

Syria’s Sharaa looks to boost ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan during Antalya visit

The new Syrian president was seeking international recognition at the Turkish forum, while Saudi and other Arab leaders met to discuss Gaza.

Italian energy giant Eni's general director, Claudio Descalzi.

Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects

Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, early on March 30, 2025.

Culture

In photos: Muslims celebrate Eid el-Fitr across the Middle East

Muslims in the Middle East came together on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

An oil refinery in the northern town of Ras Lanuf is seen in this photo, Libya, June 3, 2020.

Libya now politically stable, 'attractive' to foreign oil firms: NOC chairman

Since the ousting of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya’s oil sector has been unstable amid political unrest between two warring factions in the east and the west of the country.

A Russian Steregushchiy class corvette arrives at the port of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on March 18, 2021.

Analysis

Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence

Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a national statement during the high level segment on day three of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium on Nov. 13, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Italy PM Meloni investigated over release of Libyan official: What we know

The Italian government is facing scrutiny after repatriating a Libyan security official wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Military personnel supervise the arrival of aid carried by an Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations, for survivors of the floods that submerged Libya's eastern city of Derna at the airport of Benghazi on September 16, 2023. The floods washed thousands of people and homes out to sea after two upstream dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered by the hurricane-strength storm "Daniel". (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Ge

Analysis

Libya braces for Trump 2.0: Navigating geopolitics, energy, Abraham Accords

With Turkey and Russia both competing for influence in Libya, the Trump administration could explore opportunities to strengthen energy security and encourage Tripoli to join the Abraham Accords.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

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.