Libya

The Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Libya, Jan Kubis, said that the first group of international monitors for the Libyan ceasefire started work in Tripoli on October 10, until arrangements for their deployment in Sirte are completed.

UNSMIL welcomed yesterday the UN Human Rights Council’s mandate extension of the Libya Fact-Finding Mission (FFM) for nine months along with the presentation of its report to the Council at its 50th session.

The United Nations on Friday welcomed the signing of a long-awaited Action Plan to withdraw mercenaries, foreign fighters and foreign forces from Libya, after years of fighting between warring factions across the oil-rich nation. Special Envoy and Head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Ján Kubiŝ described the signing as “another breakthrough achievement by the 5+5 JMC”.

Libyan lawmakers voted Tuesday to reschedule parliament elections, a spokesman said, a move likely to increase tensions among Libyan rivals already divided over bills regulating planned elections.

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush on Sunday announced a “very modest start” to the withdrawal of foreign fighters from the war-torn North African country. … The UN, Libya, and several other countries have repeatedly called for the departure of foreign forces from Libyan soil.

War crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of child soldiers, have been committed in Libya since 2016, a United Nations investigation revealed on Monday.

The US House of Representatives has passed a bill that could sanction foreign actors supporting rival factions in Libya. The House on Tuesday voted 386 to 35 in favour of the Libya Stabilisation Act, introduced by Democrat Ted Deutch and Republican Joe Wilson.

Eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar paved the way to stand as president in a possible December election on Wednesday, saying he would step down from his military role for three months.

Libyan lawmakers Tuesday passed a vote of no confidence in the country's transitional government, throwing long-awaited elections scheduled later this year into further uncertainty.

Forces loyal to eastern Libyan strongman Khalifa Haftar carried out an operation Tuesday against a Chadian armed opposition group along Libya’s southern border, media close to Haftar reported.