Libya

The Council today extended the mandate of EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia until 30 September 2019. The Operation Commander has been instructed to suspend temporarily the deployment of the Operation's naval assets for the duration of this extension for operational reasons. … The Operation will continue to implement its mandate accordingly, strengthening surveillance by air assets as well as reinforcing support to the Libyan Coastguard and Navy in law enforcement tasks at sea through enhanced monitoring, including ashore, and continuation of training.

The AU Commission, together with the UN, are planning an international conference on reconciliation in Libya.

The European Union on Tuesday was considering extending air patrols to search for migrants crossing the Mediterranean but withdrawing ships that could save them, a change in policy that reflects Europe’s growing aversion to irregular arrivals. The agreement would greatly weaken Operation Sophia’s role in saving lives in the sea where nearly 2,300 people perished last year, according to the United Nations.

Special Representative and head of the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Ghassan Salamé, told Council members via videoconference from Tripoli, that the mission was working to both “prevent recent developments and tensions on the ground from escalating”, and “pivot to stability and a political compact” which would end the country’s crisis.

An agreement by Libya’s Prime Minister and a key rival military leader to improve political stability across the country through new general elections, has been welcomed by the UN Secretary-General.

Unity government leader Fayez al-Sarraj and rival strongman Khalifa Haftar meet in Abu Dhabi to agree on "the need to end the transitional phase through general elections".

The United Arab Emirates is bringing together players in Libya’s conflict and the state oil firm to try to reopen the El Sharara oilfield, the North African country’s biggest, diplomats and other sources said on Monday. The UAE is the biggest backer of Khalifa Haftar, a key figure and commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA) force, which this month took control of two oilfields in Libya’s south, El Sharara and the nearby El Feel facility.

The World Bank Group announced yesterday a new strategy of support for Libya focused on restoring key services to citizens and promoting economic recovery as a critical contribution to the ongoing peace process.

Fighting has broken out over the future of Libya’s largest oil field, as forces loyal to the UN-recognised Tripoli-based government battle Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the leading figure in fractured Libya’s east.

At least 69 municipal councils out of 120 in Libya may not hold elections in March due to a lack of funding by the UN-backed government according to the head of the elections committee. … UNSMIL along with the United Nations Development Programme has been offering technical and logistical support to the elections committee since March 2018.