Yesterday, Thursday, the Minister of State for Women’s Affairs in the Government of National Unity, Huriya Al-Tarmal, inaugurated the first exhibition for women’s economic empowerment, which will be held over three days at the Tripoli International Exhibition Grounds.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from various government institutions, ministers, ambassadors, members of parliament, the president of the Libyan Women’s Union, representatives of government institutions and bodies, and directors of women’s support and empowerment offices.
Al-Tarmal emphasized the importance of women’s economic empowerment and the necessity of developing a national strategy to support emerging women’s projects, especially since nearly 70% of Libyan women are active in various public and private sectors and fields of work.
Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade in the Government of National Unity, Suhail Boushiha, confirmed during a meeting of the Prime Minister with the Economic Security Committee today, Wednesday, the availability of adequate quantities of Libyan family needs during the month of Ramadan.
Boushiha explained during the meeting that the open documentary credits for importing foodstuffs and meat during the fourth quarter of last year and the first quarter of the current year contributed to stabilizing prices in the Libyan market.
Abdullah Suleiman, spokesperson for the Kufra Municipality, has voiced apprehension regarding the possible influx of immigrants from various nationalities, including those who escaped Sudanese prisons following the war, seeking refuge within the city.
In a press release, Suleiman emphasized that the arrival of Sudanese nationals in Kufra poses a significant security challenge, particularly as their exact numbers remain unaccounted for.
Furthermore, Suleiman indicated that the influx of refugees into Kufra could amount to tens of thousands, highlighting that Kufra isn’t the sole entry point, with refugees also entering Tobruk from Egypt and Sabha from Chad. He projected the total number of refugees to potentially reach 400,000.
While the municipality ensures adequate aid to cover the basic needs of refugees such as food and clothing, concerns persist regarding the city’s healthcare infrastructure. Suleiman underscored the city’s limited capacity to accommodate such a large population in the event of disease outbreaks, heightening health risks.
Earlier this month, residents of Kufra initiated a civic campaign aimed at extending support to Sudanese refugees, offering essentials like meals and blankets in solidarity with those displaced from Sudan.
In a landmark decision hailed by charities and human rights groups, Italy’s Court of Cassation has ruled that returning sea migrants to Libya is unlawful. The ruling stemmed from a case involving the captain of an Italian towboat, Asso 28, who rescued 101 migrants from a rubber dinghy in 2018 and returned them to Libya. The rescue occurred in international waters approximately 105 km off the Libyan coast, with pregnant women and children among those rescued.
Captain’s Conviction and Sentence
The court upheld the conviction of the captain, whose name was redacted for privacy reasons, sentencing him to one year’s imprisonment. He was found guilty of abandoning minors or incapacitated persons, as well as arbitrary disembarkation and abandonment of individuals. Despite the verdict, the captain is unlikely to serve jail time, as Italian law typically does not mandate imprisonment for terms under four years.
Final Ruling and Public Reaction
The Court of Cassation’s ruling, finalized after decisions by two lower courts, was made on February 1 but gained public attention after Italian media reported it over the weekend. The verdict underscores Italy’s shifting stance on immigration, amid rising support for right-wing parties advocating stringent measures against sea arrivals from North Africa.
Praise from Humanitarian Organizations
Humanitarian organizations, including the Mediterranea Saving Humans migrant rescue group and Amnesty International’s Italian branch, welcomed the ruling. They emphasized the danger of cooperating with Libyan authorities on migration, citing documented cases of migrant abuse and the lack of safety in Libya. The decision aligns with international humanitarian law, which prohibits forcibly returning migrants to countries where they face serious harm or ill-treatment.
Previous Concerns Raised by UNHCR
The conduct of Asso 28 in 2018 had previously drawn scrutiny from the United Nations refugee agency UNHCR, which expressed concern about a potential violation of international law. The Court of Cassation’s ruling serves as a significant legal precedent affirming the obligation to protect the rights and safety of migrants at sea.
The United Nations mission in Libya has strongly condemned the violent killings that occurred in the Abu Salim area of Tripoli on the night of February 17, claiming the lives of at least 10 people. City security chiefs confirmed that among the victims were two members of a powerful armed faction, further exacerbating tensions in the already volatile region.
In response to the incident, the UN has urged Libyan authorities to swiftly investigate the matter and ensure an independent, rapid, and comprehensive investigation. The mission emphasized the importance of preventing any actions that could escalate tensions and lead to further violence, underscoring the fragility of security in Tripoli.
The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the risks posed by rivalries between security actors in Libya, which have persisted despite efforts to maintain stability. Libya has experienced little peace since the NATO-backed uprising in 2011, and the subsequent split in 2014 has only deepened divisions within the country.
While major warfare has subsided since a 2020 ceasefire, various armed groups still wield control over different government and security departments, leading to sporadic outbreaks of violence. Flashes of conflict have erupted in Tripoli since 2020, often linked to wider political disputes over control of the government.
The Tripoli security directorate reported that the 10 individuals were killed by an unidentified armed group, prompting the public prosecution to launch an investigation. The victims included two members of the Stabilization Support Apparatus, one of the largest and most prominent forces in Tripoli, as mourned by the SSA in a Facebook post.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve Libya’s conflict have centered on holding elections to replace outdated governing bodies, but political factions have yet to agree on the terms of a vote. The UN mission reiterated its commitment to supporting efforts to achieve lasting peace and stability in Libya, urging all parties to engage in constructive dialogue to address the underlying causes of violence and insecurity.
Abdul Mun-im Al-Hammali, Head of Corporate Products Department at the Libyan Islamic Bank, stated in an exclusive statement to our source that the Fourth International Conference and Exhibition for Banks and Insurance includes several Libyan and commercial banks, insurance companies, and investment firms.
Al-Hammali explained that through this event, experiences are exchanged and the financial sector is developed, contributing to the overall economy of Libya. He added that a new branch of the Islamic Bank was recently opened in the eastern region.
Our confidential source from the Central Bank of Libya revealed that the Central Bank has requested banks not to set limits for authenticating bonds for customers, and not to reject regular and authenticated bonds for frivolous reasons, and to grant customers complete freedom to deal with their bank accounts according to the instructions.
The source clarified that the Banking and Monetary Control Administration at the Central Bank will follow up on the matter through inspection tours and complaints received, and will take all necessary legal measures against violating banks.
Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, bestowed honors upon Munir Al-Burki on Monday for his pivotal role in returning a rare archaeological artifact to the Department of Antiquities. The artifact in question, as reported by the Hakomitna platform, is a marble head depicting “Geta”, the second son of the Roman Emperor of Libyan descent, Septimius Severus.
This archaeological piece holds significant historical importance, being one of the few surviving artifacts of Geta following the destructive actions of his elder brother, Emperor Caracalla, who sought to consolidate power. Caracalla’s pursuit culminated in the killing of Geta in 217 AD.
In a statement, Mohamed Faraj, the head of the Department of Antiquities, underscored the significance of the artifact provided by Al-Burki. He noted that it ranks among the most crucial pieces to be showcased in the National Museum.
Prime Minister Dbeibeh commended Munir Al-Burki for his proactive initiative, lauding his understanding of the intrinsic value and historical significance of such artifacts. Dbeibeh emphasized the importance of preserving and exhibiting these relics in the National Museum, considering them integral components of the nation’s collective memory.
During today’s meeting on Monday, the Head of the High Council of State, Mohamed Takala, discussed with the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, Seddiq Al-Kabeer, the reasons for the increase in the exchange rate in the parallel market and how to address it.
The meeting also addressed the general budget of the state for the year 2024, in addition to discussing the reasons for the increase in the fuel subsidy item and its impact on the Libyan economy.
The investigative body at the Attorney General’s Office has decided to detain the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Yaqeen Bank, along with his deputy and seven individuals responsible for managing compliance affairs, banking operations, foreign operations, credits, and auditing at the bank.
The Attorney General’s Office explained that the decision to detain the bank officials came after proving their involvement in facilitating illegitimate gains for the owners of 49 companies, amounting to more than $20 million. Additionally, anomalies were discovered in credits totaling $1.2 billion, which were processed in violation of the regulations governing documentary credits issuance.
