Weekly Highlights
- Latest update of the Coronavirus in Libya – August 01
- UN Says Libya Crisis Could Develop to ‘Regional War’
- PC imposes complete lockdown during Eid days
- Libya’s Oil Conflict Is Escalating Again
- Erdogan Insists on Decisive Action in Libya
- Currency Exchange:
- Bank exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 1.3802
- Black market exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 6.07
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Latest update of the Coronavirus in Libya – August 01
The number of COVID-19 infections in Libya has risen to 3837, with 3131 active cases. The National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) recorded 146 new cases on Sunday. NCDC also confirmed the recovery of 4 patients, raising the number of recoveries to 623. The death toll of Covid-19 has risen to 83 after the registration of 3 deaths. LIBYA OBSERVER
UN Says Libya Crisis Could Develop to ‘Regional War’
Acting Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Williams warned that the Libyan people are increasingly scared that their future is being taken out of their hands by external actors, and that the risk of a regional war is rising. During her visit to London, Williams stressed in a statement that Libyans are worn out and need peace. “The Libyan people are exhausted and scared in equal measure. They are tired of war and want peace, but they fear this is not in their hands now. They want a solution and a ceasefire. AAWSAT
PC imposes complete lockdown during Eid days
The Presidential Council (PC) imposed a total curfew around the clock, for a period of 5 days, starting from 4 pm on Friday, with an aim to tackle the growing spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. The decision stipulates for the complete lockdown of all cities, the prevention of movement in-between, and the banning of large gatherings, especially in the seaside resorts and parks. According to the decree, after the end of the five-day total lockdown, the curfew will continue for another five days, from 9 pm to 6 am the next day, starting on Wednesday, August 5. LIBYA OBSERVER
Libya’s Oil Conflict Is Escalating Again
A line-up of external actors is preparing to escalate the military conflict in Libya, but none of them want to. It’s about securing positions and hoping for a real cease-fire deal that would lead to an end to the conflict. Egypt is ready to deploy troops to Libya to fight in support of General Haftar against the Turkish-backed GNA. Russian mercenaries, Moscow’s proxy in this war are securing oil facilities for Haftar, along with a mix of other militias, including Sudan’s blood-curdling Janjaweed, who are always for hire. OIL PRICE
Erdogan Insists on Decisive Action in Libya
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the opening ceremony of the Sümela Monastery in Turkey’s northern Trabzon province via teleconference from another location, July 29, 2020. Tukey has sent mixed signals regarding the Libyan crisis by pledging a decision military action and calling for a peaceful solution in the war-torn country. “We are determined to make sure that our struggle in the vast region from Iraq to Syria and Libya ends in victory for our country and our friends and brothers and sisters in these countries,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. SYRIAHR
Following his earlier visit to Misrata, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Harris visits Benghazi – report and analysis
The U.S. Embassy in Libya reported that its Chargé d’Affaires, Joshua Harris, visited Benghazi yesterday. The visit follows his 28 July visit to Misrata. The embassy reported that Harris visited Benghazi ‘‘to consult with a range of Libyan officials about achieving a demilitarized solution at Sirte and al-Jufra, enabling the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume its vital work nationwide, and seizing the opportunity presented by UN-facilitated dialogue to finalize a lasting ceasefire and roadmap for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries’’. LIBYA HERALD
USEFUL INFORMATION
List of holidays in Libya 2020
Exchange rates – Libyan Dinar
According to our most recent information (28th July & 03rd August 2020) the Libyan Dinar has the following exchange rates.
The exchange rate from your own bank or credit card company will differ somewhat from the exchange rates as mentioned above. Your bank or credit card company might also apply additional international charges.
LIBYA SECURITY & RISK LEVELS
Crime levels in Libya remain high, including the threat of kidnapping for ransom. Westerners and U.S. citizens have been targets of these crimes.
Terrorist groups continue plotting attacks in Libya. Violent extremist activity in Libya remains high, and extremist groups have made threats against U.S. government officials, citizens, and interests. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, hotels, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and local government facilities.
Outbreaks of violence between competing armed groups can occur with little warning and have the potential to impact U.S. citizens. The capital, Tripoli, and other cities, such as Surman, Al-Jufra, Misrata, Ajdabiya, Benghazi, Sabha, and Dernah, have witnessed fighting among armed groups, as well as terrorist attacks. Hotels and airports frequented by Westerners have been caught in the crossfire. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
Militia groups sometimes detain travellers for arbitrary reasons, do not grant detainees access to a lawyer or legal process, and do not allow detainees to inform others of their status. U.S. citizens should carry proof of citizenship and valid immigration status at all times but having these documents does not guarantee fair treatment.
For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
LIBYA INCIDENT MAPPING: 28 JULY – 04 AUGUST 20
LIBYA – SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS IN DETAIL
Turkey deployed 27,000 Syrian militants, jihadists in Libya: Monitoring Group
According to the London-based monitoring group, a new batch of Syrian militants and jihadist arrived in Libya in the last few days. The SOHR estimates that Turkey has deployed more than 17,000 Syrian militants, including 350 children, in Libya so far. At least 6,000 of them returned to Syria in the recent few months after receiving the full payment.
Besides deploying its Syrian proxies, Turkey also transported around 10,000 Jihadists of different nationalities to fight for the GNA in Libya. At least 2,500 of them are Tunisian. Turkey began sending Syrian militants and jihadists to Libya last year. This step boosted the offensive capabilities of the GNA and allowed its forces to repel the Libyan National Army attack on the capital, Tripoli. These achievements came at a high cost for Syrian militants. According to the SOHR, 481 Syrians were killed in Libya. 34 of them were under the age of 18. Turkey appears to be determined to increase its military presence in Libya. Recent reports revealed that Ankara is planning to establish permanent bases for its forces in the Arab country.
Haftar warns Erdogan: Stay out of Libya or you face our bullets
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan was warned on Sunday to keep his forces out of Libya or face an armed response. The warning came from Libya’s eastern military strongman Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who leads the Libyan National Army (LNA) in the conflict with the Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli, headed by Fayez Al-Sarraj.
Erdogan has sent Turkish-backed mercenaries from Syria to fight for the GNA, along with artillery and heavy weapons that have turned the tide in its favour. In a speech to troops to mark Eid Al-Adha, Haftar accused the Turkish president of “coming to Libya in search of his ancestors’ legacy.” He said: “We tell him that we will translate the legacy of your ancestors with bullets.” For any Turkish forces in Libya, there would be “no mercy because they do not deserve mercy.”
Libyans would never accept being occupied by Turks, and would never again be colonized, Haftar said.
REGIONAL REPORTED INCIDENT NUMBERS: 28 JULY – 04 AUGUST 20
POLITICAL OVERVIEW
Italy’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Luigi Di Maio has expressed his country’s appreciation for Morocco’s contribution to regional and international efforts to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Libya. Di Maio expressed his satisfaction with Morocco’s role during a phone call with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita on Saturday, August 1. Morocco’s state media did not provide detailed information on the ministers’ discussion but emphasized that the conversation focused on the “constant evolution” of cooperation between Italy and Morocco. MOROCCO WORLD NEWS
Bahrain denounced Turkey’s defense minister’s statements about the UAE and described it as “hostile” and an “unacceptable provocation,” the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday. “Bahrain denounces the hostile statements of the Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, regarding the United Arab Emirates, considering it an unacceptable provocation that contradicts diplomatic norms, and a reprehensible threat to a brotherly Arab country that is known for its constructive role in the international community,” the ministry said in a statement. AL ARABIYA
The Libyan crisis has cast a shadow over the official greetings of diplomatic organizations and missions operating in Libya on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. All have expressed hope that security and peace would prevail in the country and that the Eid would be an opportunity to “end the fighting among Libyans.” Acting Special Representative and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) Stephanie Williams met with the UK Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa, James Cleverly, on Friday to discuss the Libyan crisis. She said this occasion is an opportunity to end the fighting between rival parties, hoping that “love, tolerance and unity would prevail among Libyan people.” ASHARQ AL-AWSAT
Reconciliation among the warring parties in Libya would end foreign intervention and conflict in the country, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister said Wednesday. Speaking at a joint press conference with Nasser Burita, his Moroccon counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan said: “We are concerned about the impact of the situation in Libya on Arab regional security.” “Libyan parties can find solutions to their problems. There should be a political solution to the crisis,” Burita, for his part, told reporters. Before his visit to Morocco, the Saudi top diplomat was in Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia to talk about the developing situation in Libya. AA
The United States should not stop United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from naming a new U.N. Libya envoy to replace Ghassan Salame who quit nearly five months ago, Germany’s U.N. Ambassador Christoph Heusgen said on Thursday. Salame, who headed the U.N. political mission and was charged with trying to mediate peace, quit because of stress after his last effort at peace-making in the war-torn, oil producing country failed. The United States now wants to split the role to have one person run the U.N. mission known as UNSMIL and another person focus on mediating peace in Libya, diplomats said. REUTERS
AIRPORTS & BORDERS STATUS
The Presidential Council (PC) imposed a total curfew around the clock, for a period of 5 days, starting from 4 pm on Friday, with an aim to tackle the growing spread of the novel coronavirus in the country. According to the decree, after the end of the five-day total lockdown, the curfew will continue for another five days, from 9 pm to 6 am the next day, starting on Wednesday, August 5. The authorities allowed people to fetch their needs on foot, in addition to essential services, such as foodstuffs and pharmacies have also been excluded from the decision. On 29 July, the country registered its largest record of infections, with 205 cases in a span of 24-hours.
