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Libya: GNA financially supports the humanitarian response plan

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According to a statement issued on the official page of the Presidential Council, President of GNA Presidential Council Fayez Serraj announced the launch of the humanitarian response plan 2020 in Libya, confirming the government’s contribution of 10 million dollars.

This came during a meeting held on Sunday in Tripoli, attended by the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Mr. Yacoub El-Hillo, along with a number of ministers and representatives for the international organizations and for the civil society.

It is highly important to mention that the Italian deputy ambassador, representing the European countries supporting the plan, attended the meeting as well.

Serraj claimed that the meeting comes at a difficult stage, as the war continues in Tripoli, and the number of “victims of aggression” and emigrants keeps on increasing, which requires more cooperative work.

Hence, this joint work seeks to reinforce the capacities, respond to the emergency needs of the victims, provide the citizens with the basic services all over Libya, and also discuss the necessity of providing the main needs of the south regions.

Gold price touching its highest

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Today, gold prices held near a two-week high scaled in the previous session as uncertainty prevailed over the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the global economy.

Spot gold was little changed at $1,582.08 per ounce, as of 07:01 GMT, touching its highest since February 3 at $1,584.65 on Friday.

However, U.S. gold futures were down about 0.1% at $1,585.30.

World Health Organization supplies Libya with medical equipment

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The World Health Organization (WHO) delivered high-tech devices to the National Center for Disease Control of Yefren and Tripoli branch to conduct rapid tests for detecting resistant tuberculosis (TB), and commencement of treatment immediately.

“The devices will be used to surveys diagnose tuberculosis in high-risk groups in populated areas” WHO announced, adding that it will install two similar devices in the centers of Tobruk and Sabha.

Are there alternatives to compensate for Libya’s oil production?

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In a news article published by MbS News concerning the security and political instability in Libya, as well as the stoppage of oil production as a result of the conflict around the capital, MbS news raised the issue of Libya’s alternatives to compensate for this blockade, and stated the sectors that are affected by this stoppage, as oil sector in Libya is almost the only source of income for the state.

Mbs News stated that, according to data from the National Oil Corporation, crude production decreased to 163.6 thousand barrels per day by February 13 as a result of the closure of production fields, ports and pipelines. In other words, the losses exceeded the amount of one billion US dollars.

“On the other hand, opinions differ on the losses resulting from the closure of oil fields, and the feasibility of continuing the production process.” NbS stated.

For instance, the Libyan oil expert Issa Rashwan claimed that oil is the only resource for Libya, as it represents about 95% of the country’s income, stressing that the loss is represented in the “loss of the sale”. Yet, “there are question marks around some numbers due to the lack of transparency and the absence of good governance, as there are no accurate statistics on oil sales and revenues,” he emphasized.

As far as the sectors affected by the closure are concerned, Rashwan explained that the Libyan state has three alternatives to compensate for the oil sales deficit. First, gas sales. Second, the income of the investment institution. Last but not least, foreign exchange reserves in the Central Bank.

While MP Mohammed Al-Abani stated that more than 93% of the Libyan output is represented by oil production located in the oil Crescent area that is under the control of the Libyan army, which does not receive any of these revenues, confirming that “stopping oil production means stopping the extraction of Libyan oil from the ground, and the proceeds going to finance the militias.”

Today’s oil prices

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 Today oil prices were little changed as concerns of falling fuel demand caused by the economic fallout from the coronavirus outbreak in China were offset by expectations that output cuts from major producers will tighten crude supply.

Brent crude LCOc1 was at $57.27 a barrel, down 5 cents by 07:54 GMT after rising 5.2% last week, the biggest weekly gain since September 2019.

U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude CLc1 rose 3 cents to $52.08 a barrel, after a 3.4% gain last week.

Japan, the world’s fourth-largest oil consumer, reported an economic contraction of 6.3% for the October to December period and there is an expectation of a further contraction in the January to March quarter because of the contagion.

Singapore, whose trade-dependent economy is a barometer for the region, also warned of the potential for a recession this quarter because of the outbreak.

“Oil remains acutely vulnerable to both excess supply and the economic coronavirus-induced slowdown in China and other parts of Asia,” Jeffrey Halley, a senior market analyst at OANDA in Singapore said.

Alshahomy to Tabadul: no transparency in Libya

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In a statement to “Tabadul”, the economist and founder of the Libyan Exchange Stock Market, Suliman Alshahomi, stressed that Libya’s economic institutions should be unified as a way to avoid public-budget deficits.

Alshahomy added that Libya’s economic institutions should be restructured and more equitable, accusing them of non-transparency, pointing out that there is a “prize conflict” in Libya.

He also clarified that the deficit issue will not be solved except by unifying the institutions, mainly the Central Bank of Libya. In addition to unifying the government and launching a transparent and clear economic program for specific targets.

The economic program should achieve the development and address the economic imbalance in many items, such as inequality in salaries. In addition to addressing subsidies’ file “as it leads to corruption and causes many problems,” he stated.

Commenting on the statement issued by the United Nations on granting exceptions for some people to get the dollar at an official price, Alshahomy considered that there is no transparency in Libya, reminding of the dangers of a dollar at more than one price, confirming that this phenomenon is dangerous and may affect the Libyan economy.

“The Central Bank is authorized to determine the exchange rate,” ha said, calling on the national economic institutions to play their role according to the law, especially with regard to the exchange rate.

As far as oil blockade is concerned, Alshahomy called for the necessity of solving problems at their roots, stressing that the Central Bank of Libya along with the government are devided.

“There is a terrible imbalance,” the economist concluded, “no losses can be talked about because the entire economy is losing and there is a crisis of confidence,” he added.

Sanalla: the U.S. is able to make a “decisive difference in Libya”

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NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanalla met with senior US officials in Washington DC on Monday and Tuesday, February 10 and 11, 2020, in order to discuss the humanitarian and financial consequences of the continuing blockade of Libyan oil production.

Sanalla met with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of International Affairs at the Energy Department Matthew Zais, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the Bureau of Energy Resources Kurt Donnelly, and Deputy National Security Advisor Victoria Coates.

“The United States has the power to make a decisive difference in Libya, and its leadership understands the humanitarian impact the blockade is having on ordinary people,” said Sanalla. “We are all agreed on the need to reach a sustainable solution so that what we face today can never happen again,” he added.

ICRC: Libyans are deeply suffering

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After visiting Libya, President Peter Maurer of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said that civilians in Libya are suffering deeply from a war that is hitting neighborhoods, health facilities and schools, adding that daily life for many Libyans is marked by chronic fear and uncertainty as families find it harder and harder to make ends meet.

Peter Maurer stressed that one in four Libyans is affected by a conflict that is entering its ninth year, and that months of fighting in Tripoli has led to the closure of an additional 13 health facilities and 220 schools, according to the UN, disrupting much-needed health services and education. Moreover, many Libyans are increasingly facing a scarcity of basic items and decaying or destroyed public services and infrastructure. Hence, more than half a million people are estimated to be in critical need of medical care.

“The combination of economic collapse and protracted conflict is making it difficult for people to acquire even the most basic items and services, like health care, clean water and education,” Maurer claimed after meetings with residents and government and military officials, as well as Libyan Red Crescent Society’s (LRCS) representatives in Tripoli and Benghazi. “People’s savings and other resources are dwindling. The most vulnerable among them are those households who have lost a breadwinner.” He added.

It must be mentioned that the ICRC urges all belligerents to respect basic principles of international humanitarian law while conducting military operations to ensure that civilians are spared from the effects of ongoing hostilities and that they shall never be a target of any attack. Similarly, infrastructure necessary for human survival such as hospitals, schools, water and electricity plants must be protected.

Thousands of Libyans have been forced to flee their homes – many repeatedly. Last year saw around 177,000 people displaced from their homes because of fighting in different parts of the country, including 150,000 people uprooted due to fighting around Tripoli.

French officials and NOC discuss the impact of the current blockades

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National Oil Corporation (NOC) chairman Mustafa Sanalla met Christophe Farnaud, Head of North Africa and Middle East Department at the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs and other officials, including French special envoy to Libya, Frederic Desagneaux, on Friday, 7 February 2020, in Paris, France.

The parties discussed the current situation and the dangerous consequences of blockading Libya’s oil and gas facilities. The embassy echoed NOC calls for the unity and the independence of NOC, lifting of the blockades, and more transparency in distribution of oil revenues.

While in Paris, Mr. Sanalla also met with Patrick Pouyanné, the Chief Executive Officer of international partner Total. They discussed the significant impact of the current blockades, including their lasting effects on operations and production volumes, as well as the resulting loss of revenues for Libya.

Serraj and El-Hillo discuss the humanitarian situation in Libya

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President of GNA Presidential Council Fayez Serraj received The Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Libya, Mr Yacoub El-Hillo.

They discussed the humanitarian situation in Libya and reviewed preparations for the launch of the Humanitarian Response Plan 2020.

They also discussed migration issues and need to revive coordination mechanisms between GNA, Member States and the UN.