The UN envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame has confirmed in a meeting with the member of the Presidential Council Ahmed Mitig that he has communicated with all parties in Libya in the aim of reaching a unified method that can rally Libyans around one united country. On Friday in Rome, Salame added that elections are the crux of his action plan as it would lead to stability in Libya, in addition to the national conference that will prioritize economic issues.
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The spokesperson of EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Representative Federica Mogherini, Catherine Ray, said there would be no military part for the work commission that has been formed on the sidelines of the African-European Unions summit about Libya in Abidjan. The commission will be made from AU and EU as well as UN teams that will facilitate the quick evacuation of good numbers of illegal immigrants from Libya. Ray also said that the commission will cooperate with African countries so they identify their nationals in Libya and give them official documents for their return that will be funded by the EU, adding that the return will be coupled with rehabilitation programs in their home countries.
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The Head of the Russian contact group in Libya, Lev Dengov, said talking about lifting arms embargo on Libya before uniting the military institution will lead nowhere. Dengov told Sputnik at the Rome-hosted Mediterranean Dialogue that it would be illogical to lift the embargo as there is no united military in Libya, which could add to the military conflicts in the country and a desire to own more arms by the armed groups. Al-Sirraj called in his White House visit for lifting the ban on arming certain branches of the Libyan army such as the coastguards and the Presidential Guard in Tripoli.
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The Chairman of the National Oil Corporation Mustafa Sanallah said Libya has got gas and oil investment projects worth 20 billion dollars for the coming three years. Sanallah added in his address to the Rome-hosted Mediterranean Dialogue on Thursday that foreign companies must take the opportunity that is offered by the oil sector in Libya. He also added that the NOC is fighting fir keeping the oil production in a steady hike despite two issues – criminal groups and lack of funding.
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OPEC exempted Libya and Nigeria from oil output cuts in 2018 on the condition that the output limit will be as that reached in 2017, without specifying the number. OPEC and Non-OPEC members agreed to cut oil production until the end of 2018. This strategy aims at decreasing oil supply so that prices can increase after hitting pretty low levels over the last two years.
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One person was killed and 10 others were injured as clashes renewed Friday in Sidi Ekhribish area in Benghazi. Special Forces Commander of Dignity Operation Milood Al-Zway said military operations are still ongoing, saying their forces advanced on municipal hotel area as they seized new locations. Haftar announced in July the full “liberation” of Benghazi.
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Presidential Council force seized control of all locations for the Dignity Operation forces in Sabha on Thursday after intermittent clashes. The force seized the headquarters of the southern military governor of Haftar’s forces, Sabha airport, and southern entry. Haftar’s forces withdrew from the city, sources reports, adding that the military governor escaped to Al-Jufra. The oil crescent area has seen military mobilization by Dignity Operation forces over the last period.
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The Governor of the Parallel Central Bank of Libya in Al-Bayda Ali Al-Hibri called for printing more banknotes in Russia in order to end the current cash shortage in Libya. Al-Hibri told Reuters that he won’t meet with the Tripoli CBL’s governor, Al-Sidiq Al-Kabeer, but thinks that the Presidential Council could propose devaluating the Libyan dinar as well as a reforms plan to be studies by both CBLs. “We can work with Al-Sirraj to end cash shortage and control inflation.” He added.
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