Libyen

Austria and Hungary have for the moment derailed EU plans to tackle breaches of the UN arms embargo off the Libyan coast, over objections to possible migrant rescues. Also known as Operation Irene, the proposal entails deploying European warships in the Mediterranean as part of a broader effort to stop arms from reaching the country.

UNSMIL today expressed its deep concerns over the recent increase in abductions and enforced disappearances in towns and cities across Libya conducted by armed groups with total impunity. It renewed its call for the full respect of international human rights law and international humanitarian law by parties to this conflict.

This paper explores armed group–community relations in Libya and the sources of revenue that have allowed armed groups to grow in power and influence. It draws out the implications for policy and identifies options for mitigating conflict dynamics.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres announced yesterday that Stephanie Williams will be his Acting Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) with immediate effect. … The UN statement said that Ms. Williams brings more than 24 years of experience in Government and International Affairs. She had served as Deputy Special Representative (Political) in UNSMIL since 2018.

French President Emmanuel Macron met Monday, March 9 with Libyan military commander Khalifa Haftar, who insisted he would commit to a ceasefire with the United Nations-recognized government in Tripoli as long as its allied militia fighters pledge to sign on as well.

After serving more than two years as the UN’s Special Representative in charge of finding a way to a lasting peace in war-torn Libya, Ghassan Salamé - who also heads up the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) - handed in his resignation on Monday, citing failing health caused by the immense stress of the job.

U.N.-mediated political talks aimed at resolving the crisis in Libya have ended in disarray, with nothing accomplished except an agreement to meet again next month.

Peace talks between the government of Libya and rival military commander Khalifa Haftar collapsed on Monday after 10 months of conflict, the parties announced.

The head of Libya’s internationally recognized government has criticized the international community for not supporting the Libyan people and Government of National Accord, who are under attack by rebel forces. He spoke at the opening of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.

The rebel group, the Military Command Council for the Salvation of the Republic (CCMSR), acknowledged the deadly fighting, saying its forces had conducted a “strategic pullback”.