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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

China is Africa’s largest trading partner and the primary financier of the continent’s megaprojects. Photo: Felix Wong

China-Africa relations

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

16 Aug 2026 - 2:54PMvideocam

Egypt

Egypt inaugurates the ‘Octagon’, a mega military HQ larger than the Pentagon

6 Jul 2026 - 10:27AM

Italy

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

4 Jul 2026 - 5:04PM

France

French prosecutors seek 7-year sentence for ex-president Sarkozy

He is in an appeal trial on charges that he sought Libyan financing for his 2007 election.

13 May 2026 - 11:22PM

French former president Nicolas Sarkozy leaves the courtroom after prosecutors requested a seven-year prison sentence for him on Wednesday. Photo: AFP

France

France’s ex-president Sarkozy escapes second ankle tag sentence

Last year he became modern France’s first president to go to jail, in a case related to alleged Libyan funding in his 2007 election campaign.

7 May 2026 - 4:45AM

China-Africa relations

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

18 Apr 2026 - 9:00AMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

Two-week truce with Tehran leaves Trump mere days to finalise a deal before a legal cut-off triggers a high-stakes clash with US Congress.

9 Apr 2026 - 7:03AMvideocam

Buildings lie in ruins in Tehran after joint US-Israel airstrikes, reflecting the widening toll of the conflict on the Iranian capital. Photo: Getty Images

France

France’s Sarkozy challenges conviction over alleged Libya funding

He was found guilty in September of criminal conspiracy and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

7 Apr 2026 - 9:37PM

US, Israel war on Iran

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

25 Mar 2026 - 7:00PMvideocam

US, Israel war on Iran

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

23 Mar 2026 - 5:17PMvideocam

In Africa, the squeeze on fertiliser imports because of the US-Israel war on Iran comes at a crucial time, at the start of the rains and the planting season. Photo: AP

European Union

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

19 Mar 2026 - 3:07PM

Migrants from Syria and Libya call for help as they are assisted by Spanish NGO Open Arms south of the Italian island of Lampedusa in 2022. Photo: AP

War and conflict

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

13 Mar 2026 - 8:30PMvideocam

European Union

Opinion | Europe’s selective defence of the global order will sway no one

If Europe genuinely seeks to restore credibility to international law, it must first confront its own record of selective adherence.

18 Feb 2026 - 9:42PMvideocam

UAE

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

14 Feb 2026 - 2:00PM

A container ship docked at the port of Jebel Ali, operated by the Dubai-based ports operator DP World. Photo: AFP

China-Africa relations

China sends envoy to Libya after embassy shuttered for more than a decade

Ma Xueliang has been appointed as the new ambassador in Tripoli as Beijing seeks to ‘keep a foot in the door’ despite the volatility.

11 Feb 2026 - 4:00PM

China’s new ambassador to Libya Ma Xueliang (left) meets Libyan charge d’affaires Khaled al-Sayeh in Beijing on January 27. Photo: Libyan News Agency

United States

US arrests suspect in 2012 Benghazi consulate attack, Bondi says

Zubayar al-Bakoush has been ⁠extradited to the US to face murder, arson and terrorism-related charges for the 2012 incident.

7 Feb 2026 - 3:40AM

War and conflict

Son of Libya’s late ruler Gaddafi killed by gunmen who stormed home

Four masked men ‘executed’ Saif al-Islam Gaddafi at his residence in the western Libyan city of Zitan.

4 Feb 2026 - 1:53PM

United Nations

Hundreds feared missing or dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks, UN says

IOM investigates reports of vessels being impacted by bad weather after departing from Tunisia and Libya for Europe.

27 Jan 2026 - 3:01PM

Crew members of the ‘Ocean Viking’ ship take part in a night rescue exercise in the Mediterranean Sea. Photo: AFP

Pakistan

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

16 Jan 2026 - 11:12AMvideocam

North Korea nuclear crisis

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

9 Jan 2026 - 5:30AMvideocam

Saudi Arabia

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

8 Jan 2026 - 5:21PM

Southern Transitional Council security personnel guard a checkpoint in Aden, Yemen, on Monday. Photo: Reuters

China's military weapons

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

27 Dec 2025 - 10:00PMvideocam

The JF-17 jet was jointly developed by China and Pakistan. Photo: AP

Aviation accidents

Libya military chief and 7 others killed in jet crash in Turkey

Investigators are looking into a technical failure that brought down the delegation’s Falcon 50 jet shortly after take-off from Ankara.

24 Dec 2025 - 11:10AM

War and conflict

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

12 Dec 2025 - 8:30PM

United States

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

3 Dec 2025 - 10:16AM

Women gather next to an anti-US mural in Tehran. The list of countries targeted in the US memorandum includes Iran. Photo: West Asia News Agency via Reuters

France

Ex-president Sarkozy’s conviction upheld by France’s top court

Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted for illegally overspending on his 2012 re-election bid; no further appeal possible.

27 Nov 2025 - 2:15AM

Former French president Nicolas Sarkozy leaves his residence to report to La Sante Prison for incarceration in Paris on October 21. Photo: AFP

Middle East

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

11 Nov 2025 - 1:50PM

France

A kiss, then goodbye: France’s ex-president Sarkozy enters jail proclaiming innocence

Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, enters a Paris prison to serve a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy involving Libyan funding.

21 Oct 2025 - 4:59PM

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Libya

Why the Chinese yuan could soon be Africa’s most important currency

The continent’s banks are signing up for China’s Swift alternative, smoothing transactions and potentially avoiding sanctions.

Egypt inaugurates the ‘Octagon’, a mega military HQ larger than the Pentagon

Pope visits Africa-Europe crossing as anti-migrant policies rise in US, EU

French prosecutors seek 7-year sentence for ex-president Sarkozy

He is in an appeal trial on charges that he sought Libyan financing for his 2007 election.

France’s ex-president Sarkozy escapes second ankle tag sentence

Last year he became modern France’s first president to go to jail, in a case related to alleged Libyan funding in his 2007 election campaign.

Why China is urgently looking to North Africa as the energy crisis rolls on

From Algerian oilfields to Moroccan battery factories and Egypt’s industrial base, Beijing may now fast-track projects across the region.

Trump has a ceasefire with Iran. But a confrontation with Congress looms

Two-week truce with Tehran leaves Trump mere days to finalise a deal before a legal cut-off triggers a high-stakes clash with US Congress.

France’s Sarkozy challenges conviction over alleged Libya funding

He was found guilty in September of criminal conspiracy and sentenced to 5 years in prison.

African producers may have energy edge in Iran war, if they can overcome hurdles

Analysts say oil from Africa may be lower-risk alternative, coinciding with a fresh push for infrastructure to supply Europe.

Iran war delivers new stress to African economies emerging from older shocks

Afreximbank is implementing measures to give financial help to African countries dependent on fuel imports, bank president says.

Hundreds die crossing Mediterranean as 2026 already smashes records

At least 655 migrants died or went missing in January and February taking one of the deadliest migration routes in the world.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules

Inevitably, the world will be split between those committed to peace and harmony, and those who want to fight to secure dominance.

Opinion | Europe’s selective defence of the global order will sway no one

If Europe genuinely seeks to restore credibility to international law, it must first confront its own record of selective adherence.

‘Surpassing Hong Kong’: UAE challenges Singapore for the global trade crown

With non-oil trade nearly doubling, analysts say the UAE has secured a first-mover advantage that leaves regional rivals trailing behind.

China sends envoy to Libya after embassy shuttered for more than a decade

Ma Xueliang has been appointed as the new ambassador in Tripoli as Beijing seeks to ‘keep a foot in the door’ despite the volatility.

US arrests suspect in 2012 Benghazi consulate attack, Bondi says

Zubayar al-Bakoush has been ⁠extradited to the US to face murder, arson and terrorism-related charges for the 2012 incident.

Son of Libya’s late ruler Gaddafi killed by gunmen who stormed home

Four masked men ‘executed’ Saif al-Islam Gaddafi at his residence in the western Libyan city of Zitan.

Hundreds feared missing or dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks, UN says

IOM investigates reports of vessels being impacted by bad weather after departing from Tunisia and Libya for Europe.

Pakistan’s arms deals cleared for take-off as orders soar for JF-17 jets

The jets, co-produced with China, proved their worth during the India-Pakistan tensions, when they destroyed an S-400 air defence system.

Opinion | Maduro’s fate in Venezuela hardens North Korea’s nuclear resolve

It confirms Pyongyang’s belief that leaders seen as thorns in the US side who lack nuclear weapons ultimately fall victim to US intervention.

US allies Saudi Arabia, UAE risk a split in Middle East over competing visions

A ‘new order’ is emerging as Abu Dhabi-backed separatist allies clash with pro-Riyadh governments in the region.

China-Pakistan jet deal with Libyan group ‘may help expand Beijing’s influence’

The agreement will supply the Libyan National Army with 16 fourth-generation JF-17 fighters.

Libya military chief and 7 others killed in jet crash in Turkey

Investigators are looking into a technical failure that brought down the delegation’s Falcon 50 jet shortly after take-off from Ankara.

As I see it | Would the world be safer if the military were in charge of the US?

Capricious political leaders like Donald Trump and his defence chief may be more dangerous than responsible and battle-tested generals.

US pauses all immigration applications from 19 countries

The pause applies to people from nations that were already subjected to a partial travel ban in June.

Ex-president Sarkozy’s conviction upheld by France’s top court

Nicolas Sarkozy was convicted for illegally overspending on his 2012 re-election bid; no further appeal possible.

Gaddafi’s son released on bail after 10 years in a Lebanon prison

Hannibal Gaddafi was released after a Libyan delegation paid a drastically reduced bail, ending his detention over a missing cleric.

A kiss, then goodbye: France’s ex-president Sarkozy enters jail proclaiming innocence

Nicolas Sarkozy, 70, enters a Paris prison to serve a five-year sentence for criminal conspiracy involving Libyan funding.

Opinion | US-Israeli war on Iran makes a mockery of global governance rules