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Libya Observer
6 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Libya declares Eid al-Adha holiday from Thursday to Monday
The Government of National Unity (GNU) has announced a five-day holiday for Eid al-Adha, beginning on Thursday and ending on Monday. Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh issued the directive on Sunday, confirming that Thursday will be a public holiday for the Day of Arafah, followed by three days of Eid celebrations — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Monday will also be a day off, but it will be deducted from civil servants' annual leave entitlement, according to a statement shared on the government's official Facebook page. A separate statement from the rival eastern-based government said it would also grant a four-day holiday for Eid, starting Thursday 5 June and ending Sunday 8 June. News Tagged: Eid Al-Adha
Libyan Express
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Why Libya matters in Moscow's challenge to Washington?
Copy Link The recent American military posturing near Libya has quickly elicited a Russian response. After US B-52 strategic bombers conducted flyovers alongside British forces above Sirte on 26 February 2025, followed by the USS Mount Whitney's appearances in Tripoli (20 April) and Benghazi (21 April), Moscow has countered by sending a high-level diplomat to Libya's capital. Alexander Kishniak, Director of the Middle East and North Africa Department at Russia's Foreign Ministry, arrived in Tripoli on 28 April 2025. He delivered a verbal message from the Kremlin to Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh that emphasised strengthening Libyan-Russian relations. According to the Government of National Unity's media office, 'Kishniak's message underscored the importance of bilateral relations, enhanced cooperation, and reactivating the Joint Libyan-Russian High Committee.' The same source quoted Dbeibeh as emphasising 'the building of balanced relations with Russia based on respect for Libya's sovereignty and stability, serving mutual interests between both countries.' This diplomatic exchange represents a new chapter in the ongoing American-Russian competition for influence in Libya—a struggle where Libya finds itself as the vulnerable third party. The critical questions facing Tripoli's government are multifaceted: How can it address Russian military presence on Libyan soil that poses existential challenges to state sovereignty? Is it possible to balance economic cooperation with Russia whilst confronting security risks? Can Libya protect its national interests within such an asymmetric relationship? Russia's approach mirrors Western tactics used throughout the Arab world—compartmentalising political and economic relations. This allows Moscow to pursue economic partnerships while simultaneously undermining Libyan sovereignty through military deployments, base establishments, interference in neighbouring countries, and support for Khalifa Haftar's forces to maintain political division. Meanwhile, Russia extends economic cooperation offers to western Libya's political leadership under attractive but ultimately deceptive pretences. The gravest danger may be Libya's transformation into a proxy battlefield in the larger Russia-Western confrontation—a scenario that could entangle the country in a destructive great power competition. While some pragmatists argue that political realities necessitate engagement with Russia despite these concerns, Libya's genuine challenge remains finding equilibrium between immediate political expediencies and its long-term national interests. This balancing act will determine whether Libya can maintain its sovereignty whilst navigating relations with these competing global powers.
Saudi Gazette
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
US judge blocks plan to deport migrants to Libya
WASHINGTON — A US judge in Boston ordered a temporary block on the Trump administration's plan to deport migrants to Libya, saying it would "clearly violate" a prior order he made that ensures their right to due process. The order came after two US officials told CBS News that the US may soon start deporting migrants to Libya as part of its crackdown on immigration. In response to the deportations report, Libya's prime minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh wrote in a statement on X that his country refuses "to be a destination for the deportation of migrants under any pretext." The BBC has approached the US state department for comment. The officials, who requested anonymity, said the US military could fly migrants to the North African country as early as this week. The move is likely to spark controversy — Libya has been mired in conflict for more than a decade and the US state department advises Americans not to travel there due to factors like crime, terrorism and civil unrest. Immigration lawyers moved quickly on Wednesday to prevent the Trump administration from carrying out the deportations, asking a Massachusetts judge to "urgently" issue a temporary block. "Multiple credible sources report that flights are preparing to immediately depart the United States carrying class members for removal to Libya," the attorneys wrote in their court filing US District Judge Brian Murphy in Boston responded late Wednesday afternoon by issuing an order that restricts the Trump administration's ability to quickly deport the migrants. In his ruling, Judge Murphy said the deportations "blatantly" defy an injunction he had previously issued that protects the due process rights of migrants subject to final deportation orders. That earlier ruling requires officials to provide migrants with a written notice in their language and a meaningful opportunity to file a claim to protect them from removal. Asked whether he was aware of the plan to deport migrants to Libya, President Donald Trump said on Wednesday: "I don't know. You'll have to ask homeland security." Libya is thought to be one of several countries asked to accept migrant deportations by Trump's administration. This week Rwanda confirmed it was in the "early stage" of talks with the US, while Benin, Angola, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini and Moldova have all been named in media reports. It is not clear how many people the US hopes to deport to Libya, or which part of Libya the migrants would be sent to. Since the overthrow of former ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the country has been divided into two — the west is ruled by a UN-backed government, while military strongman Gen Khalifa Haftar controls the east. Haftar's son met US officials in Washington last Monday, but the US State Department and a Libyan spokesperson said the meeting was not about deportations. Since returning to office in January, President Trump has launched a mass deportation campaign — at times relying on controversial tactics such as the invocation of a centuries-old wartime law. Earlier this week, the government offered migrants who are in the US illegally a sum worth $1,000 (£751) to leave the country. — BBC
