Libya

TRIPOLI, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Libya's UN-backed Interior Minister Fathi Bashaga on Sunday said that armed groups obstruct and extort security services in the capital Tripoli.

"Militias in Tripoli attack institutions and obstruct the government, using their powers being part of security agencies. They do not answer to the law or the instructions of the Attorney General," Bashaga told a press conference in the capital Tripoli.

This is an act that can be described as "organized crime," and those who commit this crime will be pursued, the minister said.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) - Three thousand camels imported from Australia have been walked out of Libya’s capital Tripoli in an overnight evacuation after the port where they arrived came under artillery fire.

The camels left Tripoli’s port shortly after midnight on Wednesday, and were herded along a highway leading west to the city of Zawiya, some 45 km (30 miles) away, where they arrived on Thursday morning, according to a local merchant.

However, he said that a local armed group had stolen 125 of the camels as they passed through the Tripoli suburb of Janzour.

20 Feb 2020; MEMO: The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) strongly condemned the bombing carried on by Haftar forces on the Tripoli seaport on Tuesday, which left several casualties.

The UNSMIL added in a statement published on its website on Wednesday that the bombing would have resulted in a real catastrophe if the LNG carrier was struck.

MUNICH (Germany), Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — World powers and regional actors overseeing Libya, meeting at the Munich Security Conference, have warned against the deteriorating situation in the North African country.

The German foreign minister, Heiko Maas, said those who break the UN arms embargo on Libya must be held accountable.

The UN deputy envoy to Libya, Stephanie Williams, said that last month’s truce there had been violated more than 150 times already and that it was – as she put it – hanging by a thread.

TRIPOLI, Feb 17 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Libya will face a financial crisis and a budget deficit in 2020 because of a blockade of oil terminals and oil fields by groups loyal to eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar, the head of Libya’s internationally recognised government said.

The North African country’s oil output has fallen sharply since Jan 18 when the blockade started.

State-run National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Thursday crude output had dropped to 163,684 barrels per day.

TRIPOLI, Feb. 17 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Higher Commission of Refugees (UNHCR) on Monday announced the launching of the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) in Libya for the year 2020.

The 2020 Humanitarian Response Plan for Libya was launched at the weekend, seeking 115 million U.S. dollars to help respond to the mounting humanitarian needs, UNHCR said in a statement.

TRIPOLI, Feb. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN-backed Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Serraj on Saturday highlighted the cease-fire as a precondition for any negotiation.

"Agreement on lasting cease-fire means stopping all acts of violence, return of displaced people to their homes, and guaranteeing that the capital and other cities are safe from any threats," Serraj told a press conference in the capital Tripoli.

GENEVA/TRIPOLI, Feb 15 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Paul Maurer, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), warns that the situation in Libya could lead to many civilians fleeing their country, if things continue to escalate.

On Thursday, fighting continued in Libya’s capital Tripoli, a day after the UN Security Council resolution called for a “lasting ceasefire”. Reports say civilian casualties were recorded.

TRIPOLI, Feb 14 (NNN-AGENCIES) — The east-based Libyan National Army (LNA) denied blocking United Nations planes from landing in the country:

It follows claims that forces loyal to eastern commander, Khalifa Haftar were hampering the UN’s aid and peace efforts.

“You (Salame) can use Misrata Airport, it is open for civil and private flights, and it receives dozens of flights daily” said, LNA spokesperson, Brigadier General Ahmed al-Mosmari.

TRIPOLI, Feb 13 (NNN-Xinhua) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) said that there are over 650,000 illegal immigrants currently in Libya, many of whom lack medical care and basic needs.

“According to DTM (Displacement Tracking Matrix), at least 654,000 migrants from 40 countries of origin are currently present in Libya,” the IOM said.

“Furthermore, challenges related to water, sanitation and hygiene services, and regular access to sufficient amounts of drinking water were identified as major constraints for surveyed migrants,” it said.