The International Country Risk Guide (ICRG) in conjunction with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) have issued a decision to remove Libya from the list of follow-up countries with regard to its ability to implement standards and obligations to combat money-laundering and terrorist financing offences, according to the Central Bank of Libya (CBL). The CBL praised the achievement, saying that it would positively reflect on the reputation of the Libyan state and enhance the confidence of international financial and economic banking institutions. The CBL congratulated everyone on this decision and thanked all those who contributed to the achievement including CBL staff, departments and advisers. The CBL also thanked the President of the Presidential Council and the Minister of Justice.
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A workshop on the development of the new country program document for the UNICEF mission in Libya, which will last for the next two years, was launched at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Tripoli. Those in participation were representatives from the Ministries of Interior, Health, Social Affairs, Education and Justice, as well as Ambassadors of donor countries. The workshop began with a presentation which displayed a foreseen work plan for UNICEF in Libya and a report on the state of childcare in Libya, in addition to discussing the general strategy of UNICEF on the development of its program and the road map for its completion. The workshop included discussions by participants from all concerned ministries with the aim of developing an effective strategy to serve children in Libya, through the implementation of activities and technical support programs in accordance with international standards.
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The US Department of State said on Wednesday that its headquarters in New York City will sign a memorandum of understanding with Libya on Friday to protect cultural and archaeological property. The US State Department stated on their official Twitter account that they would impose restrictions on imports of archaeological materials of Libyan cultural heritage, adding that the restrictions established under the memorandum are aimed at reducing looting and trafficking. It also said that the MoU is one of many ways in which the United States fights the financing of terrorism and the disruption of the global illegal marketing of monuments.
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The Chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) Mustafa Sanallah discussed with the German Ambassador to Libya, Christian Buck, ways to increase the activity of German companies in Libya. The NOC said on its website that both sides had reviewed possible cooperation in the field of oil and gas exploration and the continuing efforts of the NOC to boost oil and gas production in Libya. The NOC also hailed the fact the Wintershell company is operating in Libya along, highlighting the willingness of a number of other German companies to enter the Libyan market. Sanallah and Buck stressed that stability and security is key to the improvement and continuation of production in Libyan oilfields.
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The deputy head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya, Maria Ribeiro, expressed concern regarding the lack of facilities in Gharyan Hospital. Ribeiro was quoted on her Twitter page as saying "It is disturbing to see a hospital, which a large number of people depend on for treatment, suffer from a severe shortage of equipment and medical staff.” Ribeiro added "What worries me most is the implications for children". It is worth noting that the UN official visited Gharyan Hospital on Wednesday with the Mayor of Gharyan, Yousuf Badiri, and the head of the municipal crisis management committee, Miftah Diab.
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UNICEF has offered humanitarian assistance to the displaced people of Tawergha, who are staying in makeshift tents in the Qararat Qatif district in the east of Bani Walid. At least 339 children are among the displaced families from Tawergha. UNICEF also stated that with the support of the BMZ program, they are continuing to provide 300 hygiene kits, 15 temporary emergency latrines and 25 water storage tanks, in addition to daily water tanker deliveries with further assistance to be added in the coming weeks.
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Two border security teams originating from various regions in Libya have conducted training in counter-proliferation investigations and counterfeited documents. The US Embassy in Libya said in a statement on Wednesday that the training was sponsored by the US Department of State's Export Control and Border Security Program and the Department of Homeland Security. Embassy Charge d'Affaires, Stephanie Williams, confirmed during the graduation ceremony the commitment of the United States to continue partnership with Libya in promoting peace and stability, and praised the participants for their efforts to improve security along Libya's borders.
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Nabaa TV channel have stated that a close source to the Saiqa forces who work under Dignity Operation has said that the commander of the Dignity Operation, Khalifa Haftar, has requested the commander of Saiqa forces, Wanis Bukhamada, to hand over 150 members of his forces who have been accused of involvement in the riots in Benghazi over the past two days. The source pointed out that Haftar pledged during a meeting with Bukhamada to pay late salaries of the other Saiqa soldiers if Bukhamada agreed to the conditions set by him.
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On its Amaq Media Agency, ISIS terror claimed responsibility for the Cancillo checkpoint bombing that killed three of Khalifa Haftar-led forces and injured four others on Wednesday. ISIS said in a statement on Thursday that a suicide attacker killed fighters from the renegade militias of Haftar, which is the first announcement for the terrorist since last October.
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