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Libya

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Libya. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tripoli

Head of State

Chairman of the Presidential Council Mohamed al-Menfi

Head of Government

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh

Miners at work at a coltan mining site in the town of Rubaya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Chinese firms are increasingly admitting they face high risks operating in conflict-ridden African nations which could impact on their survival.
Photo: Xinhua

China-Africa relations

The growing risks for Chinese companies in conflict-ridden African nations

Chinese firms admit their very survival could be threatened by geopolitical risks, unrest and security threats in unstable African countries.

23 Jun 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

If Iran’s Khamenei falls, what would replace him?

19 Jun 2025 - 10:41PMvideocam

North Korea

‘Never give up nuclear weapons’: what Israel-Iran conflict tells North Korea

19 Jun 2025 - 9:27AMvideocam

Israel-Iran conflict

Another Iraq? Fears mount of US joining Israel-Iran war

As Israel’s attacks and incendiary rhetoric intensify, chilling parallels emerge to the discredited claims made before US invasion of Iraq.

19 Jun 2025 - 11:48AMvideocam

A fire blazes at an oil depot northwest of Iran’s capital Tehran on Sunday following an Israeli strike. Photo: AFP

Israel-Gaza war

Convoy sets off for Gaza from North Africa to protest Israel’s blockade

Tunisian-led aid convoy seeks ‘the immediate lifting of the unjust siege’ on Gaza.

10 Jun 2025 - 10:47AM

United States

Trump’s new travel ban takes effect, citizens of 12 nations barred from US

Ban comes amid rising tensions over the US president’s escalating campaign of immigration enforcement.

9 Jun 2025 - 2:17PMvideocam

Africa

Africa warns Trump travel ban could dampen relations

Seven African nations are among 12 countries targeted by the US, with the African Union asking for ‘a more consultative approach’ and ‘constructive dialogue’.

6 Jun 2025 - 5:47PM

Children carry water on a donkey cart in Somalia, Africa, where many people have been forced to leave their homes because of climate change and insecurity. Photo: EPA/EFE

Donald Trump

Trump bans nationals from 12 countries entering US, citing security concerns

Afghanistan, Haiti, Myanmar among 12 nations facing outright entry ban; seven additional countries to face heightened scrutiny.

5 Jun 2025 - 5:23PM

Africa

Dozens of unidentified corpses found in Libya hospital: ministry

Discovery comes amid rising tensions in the capital following days of deadly clashes between armed groups.

20 May 2025 - 9:41AM

My Take

My Take | The world’s biggest rogue state looks to sanction little Hong Kong

As it targets the city’s judiciary, the US has paralysed the work of the ICC while planning for the ethnic cleansing and displacement of Gazans.

18 May 2025 - 9:00PM

The Hong Kong Judicial Sanctions Act, introduced to the US Senate this week, could lead to a mandatory review on whether to impose sanctions on 45 people under American law. Photo: AFP

United States

US judge temporarily blocks deportation of Asian migrants to Libya

Sending deportees to Libya would mark a major escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to offload unwanted migrants.

8 May 2025 - 10:41AM

US Customs and Border Protection assisting with deportation of illegal aliens at Biggs Army Airfield, in Fort Bliss, Texas. File photo: US Army via AFP

Africa

Libya masks migrant crisis with crackdown on humanitarian groups

War-torn Libya is a key departure point on Africa’s Mediterranean coast for migrants risking sea voyages in the hope of reaching Europe.

5 Apr 2025 - 8:21PM

Africa

Libya finds 2 mass graves with nearly 50 bodies in southeast

Last year, Libyan authorities unearthed the bodies of at least 65 migrants in the Shuayrif region, 350km south of Tripoli.

9 Feb 2025 - 4:37PM

Italy

Italy’s Meloni under investigation over release of Libya war crimes suspect

Osama Elmasry Njeem was freed and sent home after being detained in Italy under an International Criminal Court arrest warrant.

29 Jan 2025 - 6:29AM

Italy

ICC seeks answers after Italy frees Libyan war crimes suspect

Italy detained a Libyan suspect on the back of an ICC arrest warrant, but he was swiftly released and flown home to Tripoli.

23 Jan 2025 - 3:05PM

The International Criminal Court in The Hague, Netherlands. Photo: Reuters

European Union

France’s ex-president Sarkozy on trial over alleged Gaddafi pact

Sarkozy’s trial sees him charged with accepting illegal campaign financing as part of an alleged pact with late Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi.

5 Jan 2025 - 7:05PM

France

Ex-French leader Sarkozy to wear electronic tag after graft conviction upheld

Sarkozy’s lawyer said the former president would appeal to the European Court for Human Rights to challenge the ruling.

18 Dec 2024 - 10:36PM

Middle East

Gunmen clash in Libya as fires erupt at a nearby oil refinery, officials say

Residents were trapped in western Libya between Shurafaa tribe gunmen and the warlord Mohamed Kushalf.

15 Dec 2024 - 9:38PM

Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah. Photo: AP

China-Africa relations

What Xi’s flying visit to Morocco means for China’s EV industry

Countries in North Africa are central to solving two major issues facing Chines electric vehicle production, experts say.

29 Nov 2024 - 5:03PMvideocam

Art

First showing for Gaddafi daughter’s art honouring slain Libyan leader

‘These pictures are painted with my heart,’ says Aisha Gaddafi, 47, at the opening of exhibition in a Russian state museum in Moscow.

19 Oct 2024 - 1:15PM

Italy

Italy sends first migrants to Albania under new deal

Italy has built two reception centres in Albania, in the first scheme by a EU nation to divert migrants to a non-EU country.

16 Oct 2024 - 6:56PM

Activists hold a banner depicting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama wearing police uniforms, as the first group of migrants intercepted in Italian waters arrive at Shengjin, Albania. Photo: EPA-EFE

Middle East

Oil soars on Biden remarks about possible Israeli strike on Iran facilities

A major strike by Israel on Iran’s export capacity could take 1.5 million barrels of daily supply off the market.

4 Oct 2024 - 4:15AMvideocam

A gas flare on an oil production platform is seen alongside an Iranian flag in the Gulf in July 2005. Photo: Reuters

Middle East

Libya to restart 3 oilfields as UN seeks to end stand-off

Three Libyan oilfields received orders to resume production as the UN steps up efforts to mediate the Opec member’s rival governments.

1 Sep 2024 - 5:58PM

Middle East

Libya central bank ‘suspends all operations’ after official abducted

The bank said on Sunday it was “suspending all operations” after the kidnapping of Musab Msallem, head of information technology.

18 Aug 2024 - 9:45PM

China-Africa relations

China makes tentative steps to return to Libya after civil war stopped trade

Beijing and Tripoli are starting to rebuild trade relations, but Libya’s rocky political landscape could still be a complication.

23 Jun 2024 - 4:00PMvideocam

Libya has struggled through years of internal violence and political instability since the 2011 revolution. But now the first steps are being taken to open up the North African nation to Chinese investors again. Photo: AP

Greece

Greece denies report of brutality to migrants, caused deaths of dozens at sea

BBC investigation alleged Greece coastguard caused the deaths of 43 migrants in pushback operations in 2020-2023.

20 May 2025 - 11:41AM

Greece says its border forces have saved hundreds of thousands of migrants from sinking boats. File photo: dpa

Canada

Canada police charge pair in plot to sell Chinese-made military equipment in Libya

Canadian police said two former UN employees in Montreal participated in a conspiracy to sell Chinese-made drones and other military equipment, violating UN sanctions related to the Libyan civil war.

24 Apr 2024 - 5:00PM

Africa

Over 60 migrants believed dead off Libya coast after boat sinks

High waves swamped the vessel, which had over 80 people aboard, as it made its risky sea voyage towards Europe.

17 Dec 2023 - 3:10PM

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