Weekly Highlights
- Libya has the fastest spread of Covid-19 in North Africa
- Oil production in Libya rose to 1.28 million barrels per day
- Maltese customs seize $1.1 billion worth of goods headed to Libya
- Libya’s Haftar releases detained Turkish ship
- Libya frees two Russians held on suspicion of election meddling
- Currency Exchange:
- Bank exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 1.3505
- Black market exchange rate: USD 1 – LYD 5.77
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Libya has fastest spread of Covid-19 in North Africa
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Libya has stated that the spread of Covid-19 in Libya is worsening at an alarming rate compared to neighbouring countries. In an official report, the OCHA stated that the effort to stay home to save lives is not a luxury most Libyan can afford due to ongoing conflict and the internal security threats and political and economic crisis. The report stated that nearly four hundred thousand Libyans remain displaced as a result of the recent war in the country and added that the lack of basic services and continued power and water cuts that affect a third of the Libyan population make it impossible for people to practice simple but necessary measures. LIBYA EXPRESS
Oil production in Libya rose to 1.28 million barrels per day
Production of crude oil in Libya has risen to 1.28 million barrels per day, according to Reuters on Monday.
The National Oil Corporation announced that the revenues from exports of crude oil, gas and various oil products for the month of November had doubled to approximately 750 million US dollars, registering an increase of in excess of 200% from the previous month. Oil experts confirmed in November that the speed of recovery in the production of Libyan oil has exceeded all expectations. LIBYAN OBSERVER
Maltese customs seize $1.1 billion worth of goods headed to Libya
Maltese authorities have revealed that over the course of three years, their customs department has seized €927,294,000 (What equates to over a 1 billion dollars) worth of goods on their way to Libya in breach of UN sanctions. The ships seized include containers carrying stolen powerboats suspected of facilitating illegal migration, as well as over twenty containers worth of fireworks estimated at €1,064,000.
Another massive bust by the Maltese department was two containers carrying €926 million in paper currency from Russia headed to the area of Libya controlled by Khalifa Haftar’s forces. Earlier this week, the largest drug haul was made by Maltese authorities of over 612KG of cocaine from Ecuador headed to Libya, the street value of which is estimated at 69 million euros. LIBYAN EXPRESS
Libya’s Haftar releases detained Turkish ship
Forces loyal to renegade general Khalifa Haftar have released a Turkish cargo ship they seized off the coast of Libya earlier this week, a senior Turkish official said on Thursday. Eastern Libyan commander Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) intercepted a Turkish ship named as Mabrooka and towed it to the port of Ras al-Hilal, east of Benghazi on Monday, prompting Turkish warnings of retaliation and “grave consequences.” LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari said the vessel was sailing under a Jamaican flag and heading to the western city of Misrata – hundreds of miles from where it was captured. “The ship’s crew is made of nine Turks, seven Indians and one Azerbaijani sailor. MIDDLE EAST EYE
Libya frees two Russians held on suspicion of election meddling
Libya released two Russians held for the past 18 months on suspicion of election meddling, removing a key source of tension between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and the Kremlin. Maxim Shugaley and Samir Seifan were detained in May 2019, accused of working to help engineer the return of ousted leader Moammar al Qaddafi’s son through presidential elections in the oil-rich North African state. The Moscow-based company for which they worked denied the allegations. Russia, a supporter of eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar in the country’s ongoing conflict, had set their release as a condition for improving ties with the Tripoli government, which has received military backing from Turkey during the war. BNN BLOOMBERG
USEFUL INFORMATION
List of holidays in Libya 2020
Exchange rates – Libyan Dinar
According to our most recent information (13th December 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 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 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 advice from the Libyan government, please visit the National Centre of Disease Control (NCDC) webpage at ncdc.org.ly/Ar/
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: 08 – 15 DECEMBER 20
LIBYA – SIGNIFICANT INCIDENTS IN DETAIL
Haftar forces engage in military build-up around Sirte, Jufra, Libyan Army says
The Libyan Army on Saturday stated there was military build-up around the northern province of Sirte and central Jufra as well as southern regions by forces loyal to putschist Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
Abdulhadi Dirah, a spokesperson for the Libyan Army’s Sirte-Jufra Joint Operations Unit, told Anadolu Agency (AA) that a Russian cargo plane landed in Sirte’s Qardabiya Air Base Saturday morning. The army further determined that 23 armoured vehicles and two trucks loaded with ammunition were headed toward the country’s south from Jufra. Dirah underlined that this deployment proved Haftar’s forces were continuing to pursue war and give Haftar power over the country.
Forces loyal to the U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) based in Tripoli and its rival, Haftar, formally agreed on a cease-fire in October. The deal included the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya within three months, after Haftar’s failed offensive on the capital launched in April 2019. Following the cease-fire deal, rival sides agreed to work on a mechanism to choose a transitional government that would lead the conflict-stricken country to national elections next year.
Maltese customs seize $1.1 billion worth of goods headed to Libya
Maltese authorities have revealed that over the course of three years, their customs department has seized €927,294,000 (What equates to over a 1 billion dollars) worth of goods on their way to Libya in breach of UN sanctions.
The ships seized include containers carrying stolen powerboats suspected of facilitating illegal migration, as well as over twenty containers worth of fireworks estimated at €1,064,000. Another massive bust by the Maltese department was two containers carrying €926 million in paper currency from Russia headed to the area of Libya controlled by Khalifa Haftar’s forces. The customs departments also intercepted unauthorized medication, controlled substances and stolen vehicles.
Earlier this week, the largest drug haul was made by Maltese authorities of over 612KG of cocaine from Ecuador headed to Libya, the street value of which is estimated at 69 million euros. After the historic drug bust, customs chief Joseph Chetcuti said it highlights the need for enforcement agencies to continuously remain vigilant, stating that while Malta is small, they are in the same situation as the rest of the world with illegal smuggling of goods and illicit substances.
REGIONAL REPORTED INCIDENT NUMBERS: 08 – 15 DECEMBER 20
POLITICAL OVERVIEW
In a phone call between US Ambassador Richard Norland and Mayor of Ghadam district Alqassam Manaa, the US representative pledged his country’s support to improve the services in the district. The Embassy reported that the call addressed current developments in the Political Dialogue Forum sponsored by the United Nations as well the urgent need for all Libyans to agree on a permanent political solution to re-establish peace in Libya after a decade of conflict. The Ambassador stated that Ghadamas is a historic city and that he is grateful for being introduced to it by the Mayor through the phone, expressing his country’s willingness to provide the support needed. LIBYAN EXPRESS
The east-based Libyan parliament renewed on Saturday its call on members to convene on Monday at the legislature’s constitutional headquarters in Benghazi. The move is believed to be an attempt to thwart efforts to oust Speaker Aguila Saleh ahead of a parliament meeting scheduled for the city of Ghadames in the west. The scheduling of the meeting in Ghadames had revealed divisions among the Benghazi parliament. This is the second time in a week that the lawmakers are asked to meet in Benghazi. AAWSAT
Sources tell Ean Libya News Outlet that members of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) collectively agree to keep the current president of the Government of National Accords, Fayez al-Sarraj, at his post as chairman of the Presidential Council. The members also agreed as previously discussed in an earlier session to appoint two new members from the East and West as his deputies with Dr Moin Kikhia as Prime Minister. Following another virtual session of the LDPF this last Thursday, the United Nations Support Mission in Libya issued a statement saying that members discussed their proposals on the most suitable and consensual method to move forward on a selection mechanism for the executive authority for the period leading to national elections in 2021. LIBYAN EXPRESS
The Philippine Embassy Chargè d’Affaires Elmer G. Cato met on Tuesday with the Minister of Labor Rehabilitation, Al-Mahdi Al-Amin, to express the Embassy’s concerns over the delay in the payment of salaries and in the transfer of remittances of Filipinos working in Libya. Ambassador Cato also raised concerns over current foreign exchange regulations that have drastically reduced the dollar value of the dinar-based salaries of Filipinos. The Minister assured the Ambassador that he would convey their concerns to the Presidential Council. LIBYA OBSERVER
The House of Representatives (HoR), Libya’s internationally recognized parliament, held what is referred to as an ‘‘official’’ session at its constitutional headquarters in Benghazi, headed by Ageela Saleh and Second Deputy Hmid Houmah. Official photos show no more than 20 members in attendance. According to HoR official spokesperson Abdalla Belheeg, the session opened with a speech by Saleh, in which he addressed the overall situation in the country and in the HoR since its inception. LIBYA HERALD
AIRPORTS & BORDERS STATUS
The total number of Covid-19 cases in Libya rose to 91,357 including 61,453 recoveries and 1,314 fatalities as of Monday. The National Center for Disease Control recorded 578 new cases, 558 recoveries and 15 fatalities in the past 24 hours.