Libya

The U.N.’s chief human rights official accuses Libya’s political leaders of crushing political dissent to cling to power, leaving the country divided and its people mired in crisis, poverty, and misery. In a report submitted to the U.N. Human Rights Council Tuesday, Volker Türk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, presented a stinging rebuke of the methods employed by Libya’s governing elite to eviscerate its political opponents and remain in charge.

The Council appointed Rear Admiral Valentino Rinaldi as EU Operation Commander for the European Union military operation in the Mediterranean (EUNAVFOR MED IRINI). He will take command from Rear Admiral Stefano Turchetto on 19 July.

Libyans overwhelmingly desire a political consensus so that credible national elections can be held that will restore legitimacy to national institutions, the deputy head of the UN Support Mission in the country (UNSMIL) said on Wednesday. Briefing ambassadors at the UN Security Council, Stephanie Koury added that many Libyans have deep concerns, which she shares, about the de facto division of the country.

The Security Council today decided to renew measures designed to implement the arms embargo against Libya for another year, in particular those authorizing Member States — acting nationally or through regional organizations — to inspect vessels on the high seas off Libya’s coast believed to be in violation of the arms embargo imposed on that country.

The Deputy Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Stephanie Koury, sent a message to Libyans, outlining the nature of her duties in her first speech since assuming her position to succeed the resigned UN envoy, Abdoulaye Bathily.

The outgoing head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) urged leaders to end their stalemate and bring the country back on the path to peace and stability, in an exclusive interview with UN News.

The final statement of the first consultative meeting of the countries of Libya, Tunisia and Algeria has reaffirmed its complete rejection of foreign interference in Libyan affairs and support for efforts aimed at holding elections in a way that preserves Libya’s unity, security and stability.

(Abdoulaye Bathily) … told reporters at the UN that the situation in Libya has deteriorated in recent months and cited two reasons. "The first one is lack of political will and good faith by two major Libyan actors who are comfortable with the current stalemate, which have been going on in Libya since 2011," he said. The second is "the emerging international dynamic and regional dynamics."

In his six months at the helm of Operation Irini’s Task Force 464, Hellenic Navy Rear Admiral Konstantinos Bakalakos, oversaw over 14 000 maritime actions as well as observing almost 1 400 flights potentially involved in illegal activities. Bakalakos earlier this month handed command of the European Union (EU) naval task force in the Mediterranean Sea to Italian Rear Admiral Armando Simi.

A decade after unrest in Libya forced the diplomats of the United States (US) to evacuate the US Embassy in Tripoli – in 2014 – the Biden administration had notified Congress of its plan to restore the US diplomatic presence in Libya.