At least 32 dead in renewed Tripoli fighting

At least 32 dead in renewed Tripoli fighting

At least 32 people have died in renewed fighting in Tripoli, ending the relative peace that has held for the last two years and signaling the breakdown of a political process that’s brought Libya no closer to long-delayed elections and a unified state. Libya’s health ministry, cited by Al Jazeera,…

U.S. says Russian Wagner Group is sabotaging Libyan peace process

The United States says it has clear evidence that the Wagner Group of mercenary fighters, linked to Russia, is responsible for landmines and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid in and around Tripoli in violation of a United Nations arms embargo. “Verified photographic evidence shows indiscriminately placed booby-traps and minefields around…

Libya’s GNA backs out of Geneva talks after Tripoli port bombing

Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) has suspended participation in the Geneva negotiations on military issues, one of three national dialogue tracks established following the Berlin Conference on the conflict in January. GNA President Fayez Al-Sarraj said the decision followed the bombing of Tripoli’s port on Tuesday by the Libyan…

UN says LNA strikes near Tripoli target civilians

Another bombing on the outskirts of Tripoli  – impacting civilians for the fourth time this week – drew a fresh appeal from the United Nations representative in Libya for their protection. The Institute of Applied Engineering, located near hundreds of people sheltered in the Al-Nasser Migrants Center in Al-Zawiya, was…

Libya’s Haftar warns ‘Zero Hour’ has come for Tripoli

Libyan military leader Gen. Khalifa Haftar announced on Thursday that “Zero Hour” has come for Tripoli, heralding an intense offensive to take the city in a message similar to the one used in April when renewed fighting there first began. Haftar, head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), made the…

Laureen Fagan

Laureen is the editor of Africa Times

Salamé warns that Libya crisis could drive regional chaos

The special envoy to Libya painted a dire portrait for the United Nations Security Council on Wednesday, warning of two potentially deadly outcomes if Libya fails to abandon the “chimera” that is a military solution. Ghassan Salamé told the council that one path leads to “continued fratricide amongst the Libyans”…

Libya’s GNA objects to Salamé report to UN Security Council

Libyan leader Fayez Al-Sarraj, head of the Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord, has summoned United Nations envoy Ghassan Salame in order to register disapproval about what the GNA says is “misinformation” provided to the U.N. Security Council on the situation there. At the same time, the Libyan…

Detained Turkish citizens released as LNA steps up Libya attacks

Six Turkish citizens were released by Libyan forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar on Monday, following Haftar’s declaration that all Turkish citizens and assets in the country are Libyan National Army targets – and an equally forceful message from Turkey that warned of retaliation. Turkey’s ministry of foreign affairs called the…

Sarraj assesses damage after Tripoli bombing early Wednesday

Attacks on residential neighborhoods in Tripoli continued overnight into Wednesday with new fatalities reported in Abu Salim, as the death toll continued to rise since the advance of Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by Khalifa Haftar on April 4. President Fayez Al-Sarraj, leader of the internationally recognized Government of…

Fighting intensifies in Libya as LNA refuses to halt advances

There is still time to avoid “a dramatic, bloody battle for Tripoli,” the United Nations Secretary General said late Wednesday, but there’s little optimism that will be the case amid intensifying clashes. Abdel Salam al-Hassi, the commander of Libyan National Army (LNA) forces led by Khalifa Haftar, told Asharq Al-Awsat on…