Month: August 2016

The International Organisation for Migration has chartered another flight to return home 241 of the Nigerians held in detention centres in Libya.  This humanitarian repatriation programme, funded by Switzerland and Netherlands, ensures humane, dignified and safe return for stranded migrants.  But there is still much to do to avoid adding to the 3165 Mediterranean migrant fatalities.  See page 241 of Belfast to Benghazi for the beginning of the migrant crisis in Libya.

 

 

The Danish Government has agreed to lead the operation to remove the final 850 tons of chemical weapons from Libya. But credit should be given to the UN for the ground work leading to the removal and destruction of all the chemical and nuclear weapons material in Libya.  See page 283 of Belfast to Benghazi.

 

On 18 August 2011, the tide turned in Libya, when the Zintan Brigade captured the Zawiyah oil refinery with assistance from NATO and Arab forces.  Five years on ZZ Top, as this area was known, continues to be critical with IS and migrants increasing insecurity along the North East coast of Tripolitania.  See chapter 6 of Belfast to Benghazi.

 

At the beginning of August 2011, Jane’s Defence Weekly headlined “UK, US acknowledge stalemate in Libya”.  Five years on, nothing seems to have changed with the US air strikes on Sirte this week.  There is much to play for.  We need to respect Libyan culture and avoid alienating important leaders such as Grand Mufti Sadek Al-Ghariani and General Khalifa Hafter.