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Libya

November 1, 2026

Tripoli 5:46 pm

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Analysis

What's at stake as Libya's eastern parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

Libya's eastern-based parliament's approval of a long-disputed maritime deal with Turkey marks a strategic win for Ankara as Saddam Hifter seeks Turkish backing for his presidential ambitions, according to analysts.

Ezgi Akin

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

US Department of State's senior advisor to the President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends a conference for the support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region, in Paris, on October 30, 2025. The international community gathered in Paris on October 30, 2025 to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region, aiming to raise hundreds of millions of euros despite a drastic decrease in international aid, particularly from the United States. (Phot

Interview

Trump's Africa adviser denies Libya plan would entrench rival families

The reported unification plan for Libya has been met with pushback in a country torn apart by rival factions and foreign interference.

A commercial vessel is anchored off Yemen's coast at Bab al-Mandeb, in the straits connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean on Sept. 12, 2026.

Explainer

Saudi Yanbu halt deepens oil strain as Europe scrambles for crude

European crude importers are racing to secure new oil shipments as markets brace for the loss of up to 4% of global supplies into October following attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.

Saddam Hifter meets with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin

Russia’s Putin hosts Saddam Hifter amid instability in Libya: What to know

Moscow has built a strong relationship with Libya’s eastern camp, as Washington and Ankara pursue efforts to reunify the country’s political and military institutions.

Latest News

Analysis

Libya’s oil revival faces new test as violence returns amid US peace push

Libyan firefighting teams attempt to extinguish a fire at the Zawiya refinery, the second-largest oil refinery in Libya, with a refining capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, after a tank belonging to the state-owned Libyan Brega Oil Company was attacked by unknown perpetrators, in Zawiya, Libya, on Aug. 11, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Libya as US-backed unification push gathers pace

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of Libya, in Tripoli on Aug. 11, 2026.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohamed Eljarh

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.

Egypt’s new high-tech border security system in place

The Egyptian armed forces completed a high-tech border security system that will boost the Border Guard Forces’ performance and allow better security and response to incidents on the inflamed border.

A police oficer stands next to an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) during Teknofest airshow at the city's new airport under construction in Istanbul, Turkey September 22, 2018. REUTERS/Umit Bektas - RC1D5D404840

Turkish drones in Libya are a strategic and family affair

Drones manufactured by the company of the Turkish president’s son-in-law been prominently involved in what has become a proxy war between Turkey and the UAE in Libya.

United Arab Emirates

What’s behind strained relations between Egypt and Libya’s GNA?

Relations between the Libyan Government of National Accord and the Egyptian regime are degenerating as the two sides exchange accusations.

Are Libyan Turks Ankara’s Trojan horse?

The descendants of Ottoman Turks represent an important foothold for Turkey in Libya, but the community is dispersed in various political and military camps, with some even resentful toward Ankara.

Coffins containing the remains of the bodies of Egyptian Copts killed by Islamic State militants in Sirte are carried by the plane to be transferred to Egypt, in Misrata, Libya May 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny - RC1A03D61FF0

How will Egypt protect its expats in Libya from IS?

The killing and abduction of a number of Egyptian expats in Libya prompted the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to issue warnings not to travel there because of the inability of the Libyan state to provide protection for the Egyptians amid its prevailing state of insecurity and instability.

A Tunisian soldier holds his position during an exercise along the frontier with Libya in Sabkeht Alyun, Tunisia February 6, 2016. Tunisia has completed a 200-km (125 mile) barrier along its frontier with Libya to try to keep out Islamist militants, and will soon install electronic monitoring systems, Defence Minister Farhat Hachani said on Saturday. REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - GF10000298826

Army failure to prepare training could impact North Africa efforts

The Pentagon failed to properly prepare US Army troops in Africa to train foreign partner forces, a declassified inspector general investigation has found.