Weekly Highlights
- Libya’s Coronavirus spirals out of control
- Libya: $7.9bn losses due to oil installations closures
- Trump steps back from involving himself in Libya’s bloody civil war
- US Imposes Sanctions on Libyans
- EU mobilises Euro 20 million for Libya’s Coronavirus efforts
- Currency Exchange:
- Bank exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 1.3691
- Black market exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 6.08
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Libya’s Coronavirus spirals out of control
As the spread of Libya’s Coronavirus seems to be out of control, the Tripoli government extended the existing curfew for another ten days from 07th until 17th August and made the wearing of masks in public mandatory. It has also introduced fines for the failure by members of the public to wear masks in a public place, and fines for owners of commercial premises for not forcing customers to wear masks and social distance within their premises. A LD 500 fine has been introduced with the possibility of the withdrawal of a trading licence and the shutting down of the commercial premises for a month for not imposing mask-wearing. LIBYA HERALD
Libya: $7.9bn losses due to oil installations closures
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that Libya’s losses have amounted to about $7.9 billion since the beginning of 2020 due to the closures of oil installations by General Khalifa Haftar’s militia, according to a statement reported by a Libyan TV channel. The latest estimates regarding losses in this sector were announced by the NOC on 21 July, at around $7.24 billion. Haftar’s militia and tribes loyal to the eastern forces, with Emirati support, have closed oil installations and fields since last January. On 06th Aug, the NOC welcomed the US decision to impose financial sanctions on: “A network of smugglers, which contributed significantly to the destabilisation of the country.” MIDDLE EAST MONITOR
Trump steps back from involving himself in Libya’s bloody civil war
As several countries come to the aid of warring factions in Libya, President Donald Trump has found himself caught in the middle of a group of strongmen he’s forged close ties with during his presidency, prompting him to stay out of the fray and let them fend for themselves. Recent pleas by the leaders of Turkey, Egypt and others for Trump to get involved in the conflict have fallen on deaf ears, several foreign and US officials tell CNN. The Trump White House had taken an active interest in the conflict in 2019, reaching out to Gen. Khalifa Haftar, leading an offensive against the country’s United Nations-backed government. But in recent months, the President’s stance has changed, with Trump telling those leaders that he’d rather not get involved in another messy Middle Eastern conflict. CNN
US Imposes Sanctions on Libyans
The US Treasury Department on Thursday imposed sanctions on three Libyans and a Malta-based company, accusing them of acting as a network of smugglers and contributing to instability in Libya. The Treasury in a statement said it blacklisted Faysal al-Wadi, accusing him of having smuggled drugs and Libyan fuel into Malta. Also blacklisted were two associates, Musbah Mohamad M Wadi and Nourddin Milood M Musbah, Malta-based company Alwefaq Ltd, and the vessel Maraya, which the Treasury said Wadi used in his smuggling operations. AAWSAT
EU mobilises Euro 20 million for Libya’s Coronavirus efforts
The EU reported on Tuesday that as part of its global response to the coronavirus pandemic it has mobilised €20 million (LD 33 million) to assist the Libyan government in tackling the ongoing crisis. The announcement comes as Libya struggles to control the spread of Coronavirus. It said that in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), it will support the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, in particular among Libya’s most vulnerable communities affected by conflict, forced displacement and migration. LIBYAN HERALD
USEFUL INFORMATION
List of holidays in Libya 2020
Exchange rates – Libyan Dinar
According to our most recent information (06th 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 and citizens. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, hotels, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, and 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 the targets of these attacks. Even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.
For the latest information regarding COVID-19, please visit:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC)
If you decide to travel to Libya:
- Carry proof of citizenship and valid immigration status at all times.
- Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
- Make contingency plans to leave.
- Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organisation or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
- Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization.
LIBYA INCIDENT MAPPING: 04 – 11 AUGUST 20
LIBYA – SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS IN DETAIL
Game Changer: Russia may have S-400 air defense system in Libya
Defense analysts are trying to confirm whether Russia has deployed a high-end air defense system to Libya. Pictures that circulated on social media appear to show a large radar and vertical missile tubes near Ra’s Lanuf in the east of the country. This could be the famous S-300, or the even more potent S-400 missile system. If so, it could help tip the scales in the favor of Russia and its local allies against Turkish-backed forces.
The images were first posted online by Twitter user KRS Intl, who tracks the conflict in Libya. They were taken within the last few days. From these first images there is a broad consensus among analysts that I have spoken to that the radar looks most like the Russian 96L6E model. This is a target acquisition radar associated with the S-300 surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. It is also used with the newer and more powerful S-400 Triumf system. NATO gives this radar the code name Cheese Board. Next to the radar is what appears to be a missile TEL (transporter erector launcher). The missile tubes are in the upright position, ready to launch. This could be either S-300 or S-400. FORBES
Turkey deploys 27,000 jihadis from Syria in Libya
More evidence of Turkey’s growing regional adventurism, which accords with Erdogan’s increasingly obvious desire to restore the Ottoman caliphate, and its embrace of jihadis and jihad activity.
Turkey has been deploying Syrian militants and jihadists of different nationalities in Libya to support the Government of National Accord (GNA), the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) revealed in a report on August 1. 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. “Turkey continues to bring more factions’ fighters, mercenaries, to its camps and train them,” the SOHR’s report reads. 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.
REGIONAL REPORTED INCIDENT NUMBERS: 04 – 11 AUGUST 20
POLITICAL OVERVIEW
The Libyan Interior Minister Fathi Bashagha has reiterated the need to fight corruption and set up the right basis for a state of democracy in Libya, adding that his ministry is ready to contract financial auditing firms to boost transparency in its work. Bashagha added that any financial and administrative measures for any directorate or apparatus affiliated with the Ministry of Interior that don’t comply with the transparency procedures will be stopped. He called on all security departments’ heads to take up their responsibilities and prevails security in Tripoli and take all measures and follow all rules as per the Ministry’s laws. LIBYA OBSERVER
The US Ambassador Richard Norland spoke by telephone with GNA Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj to receive an update on efforts to finalize a Libyan solution that would consolidate a lasting ceasefire, promote transparency in economic institutions, and advance the political process under UN auspices. US Ambassador commended the Prime Minister’s leadership as responsible Libyan parties come together in defense of Libya’s sovereignty to implement a demilitarized solution in central Libya and enable the National Oil Corporation to resume its vital work on behalf of all Libyans. LIBYAN EXPRESS
Turkey, Malta and Libya on 06 Aug agreed to promote joint cooperation, facilitate the return of Maltese and Turkish companies to Libya and resume flights between the three countries, said the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, his Maltese counterpart Evarist Bartolo and Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj held a meeting in Libya’s capital Tripoli to discuss the latest situation in the North African country and joint cooperation between the three nations. During the meeting, the sides underlined the need to strengthen Libya’s southern borders and combat human trafficking and smuggling, noting that illegal migration posed a threat not only to the EU, but to Libya as well. HURRIYET DAILY NEWS
The EU reported on Tuesday that as part of its global response to the coronavirus pandemic it has mobilised €20 million (LD 33 million) to assist the Libyan government in tackling the ongoing crisis. The announcement comes as Libya struggles to control the spread of Coronavirus. It said that in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), it will support the prevention of the spread of the coronavirus, in particular among Libya’s most vulnerable communities affected by conflict, forced displacement and migration. LIBYA HERALD
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu has criticised Germany for joining a European Union marine mission to supervise the Libyan arms embargo, calling it “a wrong step”. On Tuesday, Germany dispatched a frigate carrying 250 soldiers for a five-month mission as part of the EU’s Irini mission to enforce a United Nations arms embargo on Libya. In January, Germany hosted an international conference in Berlin where a number of countries agreed to uphold the weapons embargo. This, however, has been repeatedly violated. AL JAZEERA
AIRPORTS & BORDERS STATUS
As the spread of Libya’s Coronavirus seems to be out of control, the Tripoli government extended the existing curfew for another ten days from 07th until 17th August and made the wearing of masks in public mandatory. It has also introduced fines for the failure by members of the public to wear masks in a public place, and fines for owners of commercial premises for not forcing customers to wear masks and social distance within their premises. A LD 500 fine has been introduced with the possibility of the withdrawal of a trading licence and the shutting down of the commercial premises for a month for not imposing mask-wearing. On the other hand, a LD 250 fine can be imposed for not wearing a mask in public transport.
