Libya
Current Operations
UNSMIL
United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UN-led)
Since: 10/11
More Information
Offices of premier attacked in Libya (08.05.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
Truckloads of armed men attacked the Tripoli headquarters of Libya’s interim prime minister on Tuesday, in a new demonstration of the lawlessness pervading the capital just weeks before a scheduled national election.
Jordan begins Libya police training programme (25.04.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Jordan has begun training Libyan policemen as part of a programme to strengthen ties between the countries.
Prosecutor asks ICC to report Libya to the UN (12.04.2012)
(Source:Reuters AlertNet)
The International Criminal Court prosecutor asked judges on Thursday to report Libya to the U.N. Security Council over its failure to extradite Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, the son of the late Libyan leader.
Government fails to halt western Libya militia clash (03.04.2012)
(Source:Reuters AlertNet)
Rival militias in western Libya attacked each other with heavy weapons for a third day on Tuesday, a local official said, after the government, struggling to impose its authority on the volatile country, failed to persuade the two sides to stop.
Libya militias agree ceasefire after deadly clashes (28.03.2012)
(Source:Reuters)
Rival militias in the Libyan city of Sabha called a ceasefire on Wednesday after three days of clashes that killed nearly 50 people and highlighted the government's failure to restore law and order nationwide.
Security Council extends UN mission assisting Libya for another year (12.03.2012)
(Source:UN News)
The Security Council today extended for 12 months the United Nations mission assisting Libya with its democratic transition, while adjusting its mandate to support national efforts to promote the rule of law, protect human rights, restore public security, and hold free and fair elections.
Sudan, Chad and Libya establish joint patrols to control common border (08.03.2012)
(Source:Sudan Tribune)
Sudan’s Defense minister, Abdel Rahim Hussein said Wednesday that a tripartite force composed of Chad, Libya and Sudan will be formed soon to monitor their common borders.
Leader says force against tribal leaders isn’t possible (07.03.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, head of the Transitional National Council, says he cannot use force against tribal leaders who are moving toward semiautonomy for their oil-rich eastern region. Mr. Abdel-Jalil, who made his comments to Al Jazeera, said the council did not have enough forces to confront the advocates of semiautonomy.
UN envoy envisages flexible, integrated mission to support transition (07.03.2012)
(Source:UN News)
The top United Nations envoy for Libya told the Security Council today that the Organization’s mission in the North African country plans to maintain a “light footprint” there while striving to provide flexible, responsive and high quality expertise to support the democratic transition.
Semi-autonomy declared by leaders in east (06.03.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Civic leaders in eastern Libya have declared semi-autonomy for their oil-rich region at a meeting in Benghazi. They say the move is necessary as the region, once known as Cyrenaica, has been neglected for decades. But the move has caused tension with the governing National Transitional Council (NTC) in the capital Tripoli.
UN panel says both sides committed war crimes in Libya (02.03.2012)
(Source:RFE/RL)
A United Nations commission of inquiry into human rights violations committed during the 2011 uprising in Libya says both forces loyal to the late leader Muammar Qaddafi as well as the opposition are guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
New report of the Secretary-General on the UN Mission in Libya (01.03.2012)
(Source:S/2012/129)
The report covers major developments since the report of 22 November 2011 … and also provides recommendations on the future role of the Mission in Libya.
New government fails to provide coherent lead, say analysts (29.02.2012)
(Source:Irinnews)
One year after a popular uprising toppled its former dictator, Libya’s new transitional government has failed to provide coherent state leadership and control, analysts say. … Here is a round-up of recent publications by think-tanks, analysts and human rights organizations.
Libya militias threatening stability, says Amnesty (16.02.2012)
(Source:BBC)
Armed militias are threatening the security and stability of Libya, Amnesty International has warned. … Last month, the UN said about 8,000 pro-Gaddafi supporters were being held by militia groups. The interim government has said it is trying to reassert authority, but correspondents say it has largely failed to rein in the groups.
UNSMIL welcomes the official start of the Electoral Commission (13.02.2012)
(Source:Reliefweb)
On the occasion of the swearing-in of the members of the Higher National Electoral Commission on 12 February, 2012, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) welcomes the official start of the functions of the Commission which sets off the operational electoral preparations in earnest.
Western militias unite, posing challenge to transitional government (13.02.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
Representatives of about 100 militias from western Libya said Monday they had formed a new federation to prevent infighting and allow them to press the country’s new government for further reform.
Libya struggles to curb militias as chaos grows (08.02.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
The Arab world’s most sweeping revolution is foundering as the interim Libyan government seems to be paralyzed by its lack of power to control competing militias.
Libya facing challenging transition, but authorities striving to succeed – UN (25.01.2012)
(Source:UN News)
Libya is going through a difficult transition, having inherited weak state institutions and an absence of political parties, the top United Nations envoy in the country told the Security Council today, adding that the interim Government is committed to addressing the challenges.
Factional fighting claims lives in Libya (15.01.2012)
(Source:Al Jazeera)
Fighters from the town of Gharyan and al-Asabia fired machine guns and rockets at one another on Friday, in what was the latest round of fighting between armed groups across the North African nation since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi last year.
Slow start for Libya drive to disband militias (15.01.2012)
(Source:Reuters AlertNet)
Twenty-four hours after Libya's police force opened its doors for the thousands of militia members to join its ranks, only 100 had signed up, signalling the long road the government faces to bring the unruly militias to heel.
UN, Libyan government sign status of mission agreement (10.01.2012)
(Source:UN News)
The United Nations and the Libyan authorities on Tuesday signed an agreement establishing the legal framework under which the UN mission set up last year to support the North African country's post-conflict reconstruction efforts will operate.
Libya's top soldier weighs challenges (05.01.2012)
(Source:Al Jazeera)
The appointment was announced on Tuesday as four fighters were killed in a gun battle between rival armed groups in Tripoli, underlining the interim government's difficulties in controlling the increasingly fractious groups who toppled Muammar Gaddafi.
Libyan leader says militia clashes could create civil war (04.01.2012)
(Source:New York Times)
The leader of the Transitional National Council, Mustafa Abdel-Jalil, bluntly warned late Tuesday that the government faced “bitter options” as it struggled to rein in thousands of fighters who joined regional militias during the months of battles against Col. Muammar el-Qaddafi.
Russia urges probe of Libya civilians killed by NATO (19.12.2011)
(Source:Reuters)
Russia's U.N. envoy on Monday demanded there be a thorough investigation of civilians killed in NATO air strikes during its military operations in Libya, which led to the ouster and death of former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Ambassador Vitaly Churkin was reacting to news reports about civilian deaths caused by NATO. Reuters reported on Friday that human rights groups estimated over 50 civilians were killed by the air strikes, while the New York Times published on Sunday an estimate of 40 to over 70.
Holding Libya together: security challenges after Qadhafi – new ICG report (14.12.2011)
(Source:International Crisis Group)
As a recent uptick in violence vividly illustrates, the fate of militias that ousted Qadhafi’s regime must be carefully addressed lest they jeopardise Libya’s transition. “Holding Libya Together: Security Challenges after Qadhafi”, the latest report from the International Crisis Group, examines the challenges stemming from the large number of local forces and militias which were decisive in ousting Qadhafi’s regime but are now becoming a significant threat to the country’s security.
Libyans protest in Benghazi against new leaders (12.12.2011)
(Source:RFE/RL)
Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in the eastern Libyan city of Benghazi to show their frustration with leaders who came to power after Muammar Qaddafi was overthrown.
Libya to disarm Tripoli by year end (07.12.2011)
(Source:Al Jazeera)
Local authorities have set a deadline for armed residents of the capital Tripoli to lay down arms by the end of this month, and urged brigades of revolutionary fighters from outside Tripoli to leave the city by December 20.
Security Council extends mandate of UN support mission (02.12.2011)
(Source:UN News)
The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations mission in Libya until the middle of March next year, and expanded its tasks to include assisting the North African country’s transitional Government in its efforts to address the threat of arms proliferation.
Libya ex-rebels still hold 7,000 prisoners, says UN (29.11.2011)
(Source:BBC)
The detainees are being held without access to legal process because the police and courts are not functioning, and some may have been tortured. Many are sub-Saharan Africans suspected of being mercenaries hired by the Gaddafi regime.
Most pressing task for Libya is consolidation of security, UN envoy reports (28.11.2011)
(Source:UN News)
Of particular concern, said Mr. Martin, is the large number of MANPADS [man-portable air defence systems] and ammunition still unaccounted for, which pose both a disarmament problem for Libya and a proliferation risk for the region.