Latest news with #BerlinProcess
Libya Review
3 days ago
- Business
- Libya Review
EU & Libya Discuss Economic Crisis
European Union Ambassador to Libya Nicola Orlando held a productive meeting in Tripoli yesterday with Central Bank Governor H.E. Naji Issa to discuss Libya's mounting economic challenges. During the discussions, Orlando emphasized the urgent need for currency stability and inflation control amid rising public expenditures. Both agreed on the essential role of fiscal responsibility across institutions and highlighted the necessity for the House of Representatives to adopt a unified, transparent, and accountable public spending framework. The meeting reaffirmed the critical importance of safeguarding the independence, integrity, and effectiveness of Libya's economic and regulatory institutions—starting with the Central Bank. Orlando stated that this institutional strength is vital for the country's future economic resilience. This high-level engagement comes amid broader EU-supported efforts through the Berlin Process and initiatives backed by institutions like UNSMIL and the Central Bank to push for systemic financial reforms and foster a unified national budget—an essential step toward stabilizing Libya's economy. The EU ambassador's visit reflects increasing global diplomatic backing for Libya's economic reform agenda, with the aim of building trust in financial governance, combating inflation, and ensuring long-term economic sustainability. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: cbleulibyaNicola Orlandounsmil
Libya Observer
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
PC Deputy Heads: Interference by Libyan parties complicates chances for national consensus
Presidential Council (PC) Deputy Heads Mossa Al-Koni and Abdullah Al-Lafi said that the intervention of certain Libyan parties has contributed to complicating the prospects for national consensus. During their meeting with the Strategic Review Team of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), the two men called for a more effective UN role in bridging viewpoints and developing a timeline roadmap leading to elections, to be discussed in the upcoming Berlin Process. They also stressed the importance of drafting realistic plans that fit the Libyan context and strengthen the sovereignty and unity of the state, emphasizing that Libya should be a top priority on the United Nations' agenda by appointing individuals capable of understanding the complexities of the crisis and dealing with the current political deadlock. The team, led by Daniela Kroslak, provided a comprehensive briefing on the work of its technical team tasked with assessing the mission's performance over the past years, highlighting the importance of hearing the Presidential Council's vision to realign the mission's work. Al-Koni and Al-Lafi welcomed the team, underscoring the need to establish accountability and improve the mission's performance in line with the complexities of the current Libyan scene, avoiding the reproduction of approaches that have failed to produce sustainable solutions. Kroslak stressed her team's keenness to take into account all perspectives and integrate them into the ongoing evaluation process, in preparation for submitting recommendations to the United Nations Secretary-General.
Libya Observer
17-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
International concerns over recent escalation in Tripoli
The Co-Chairs of the International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Working Group—established under the Berlin Process and represented by the Netherlands, Switzerland, and the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)—have expressed deep concern over what they described as the 'recent escalation of violence in the capital, Tripoli.' In a joint statement, the Co-Chairs noted that the recent armed clashes resulted in civilian casualties and injuries, caused damage to homes and protected infrastructure, and were marked by violent repression of demonstrators. They stated that the killing and injuring of civilians in densely populated areas reflects a 'clear failure by all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians.' The statement also highlighted the damage inflicted on homes and hospitals due to shelling and gunfire, emphasizing the need for all parties to take measures to protect civilians and public property, and to ensure special protection for medical facilities. Of particular concern was the reported use of live ammunition by security forces to disperse protesters demanding political change and the withdrawal of armed groups. Meanwhile, The Co-Chairs stressed that 'all Libyans must be guaranteed the right to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly without fear of retaliation,' and called on the authorities to conduct independent investigations into acts of repression and to hold perpetrators accountable, in line with Libya's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. The statement also acknowledged reports of armed groups taking control of detention facilities and underlined the importance of safeguarding the rights and humane treatment of detainees, especially amid widespread reports of arbitrary detention and torture. It further called for the preservation of evidence to support accountability efforts.
Zawya
19-04-2025
- Politics
- Zawya
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) Tetteh advocates for international support for Libya's political process in New York
The Special Representative of the Secretary-General (SRSG) for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, advocated with international partners this week for support for Libya's political process and the mandate of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). SRSG Tetteh, on the sidelines of her briefing to the Security Council in New York on 17 April, met with the permanent representatives to the United Nations from Libya, China, Egypt, France, Italy, Qatar, Russia, Türkiye, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States. She also met with the Ambassadors of A3+ - the three African non-permanent members of the UN Security Council Algeria, Sierra Leone, and Somalia, along with Guyana. 'The support of regional and international partners is crucial to the success of any political agreement,' SRSG Tetteh said. 'I am exploring options to enhance the effectiveness and inclusivity of existing coordination mechanisms at the regional and international levels to build the necessary support to advance the political process.' During her meetings, SRSG Tetteh updated the permanent representatives on the status of the Advisory Committee's work. The Advisory Committee, a group of technical experts who have been charged with identifying solutions to controversial points in the country's election laws, is expected to wrap up its work by the end of the month, barring delays. Questions were also raised about reviving the roadmap laid out in 2020/2021 Berlin Process – to which the SRSG responded positively. She underlined to the representatives the urgency of restoring institutional legitimacy, the importance of municipal and national elections, and the need for compromise among Libyan stakeholders. Discussions also covered public financial management and anti-corruption efforts in Libya. SRSG Tetteh advocated for preserving the independence of oversight institutions and establishing a unified national budget. SRSG Tetteh also briefed the A3+1 namely the Ambassadors of Algeria, Guyana, Somalia, and Sierra Leone, on Libya's political, economic, and humanitarian situation and UNSMIL's ongoing efforts. The Ambassadors raised concerns about sanctions, institutional fragmentation, the tension between political realities and reform, arbitrary detentions, shrinking civic space, and preparations for municipal elections and budgetary unification. Discussions also covered oil smuggling, corruption, foreign interference, and opportunities for regional cooperation on security sector reform. Importantly, SRSG Tetteh called for a unified approach from international actors, emphasising that solutions must be Libya-owned and -led. She warned against foreign interference and advocated for respect for Libyan sovereignty. 'I intend to maintain an inclusive stakeholder approach, ensuring that any outcome is not only Libyan-owned but also enjoys broader Libyan support,' she said. 'Given the increasingly frequent recurring crises, I intend to act with urgency while exercising caution to preserve stability.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK to sign migration deal with Serbia as Lammy visits Western Balkans
Britain will sign a deal with Serbia aimed at speeding up intelligence-sharing to disrupt people-smuggling, after Channel crossings reached a record high in the first three months of 2025. Foreign Secretary David Lammy will ratify the 'co-operation agreement', first announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer five months ago at the European Political Community summit in Hungary, as he visits the Western Balkans this week. The region is a key transit route through which migrants travel to the European Union and UK, accounting for almost 22,000 irregular border crossings into the continent recorded last year, according to the Foreign Office. Russia has also long vied for influence in the region, which includes three Nato allies in Albania, North Macedonia and Montenegro, and its stability is seen by the Government as key to European security. During his visit Mr Lammy will meet his counterparts to sign the agreement and hear directly from women who have survived human trafficking. He will also visit British troops serving in KFOR, Nato's largest overseas peacekeeping mission. European security is expected to be high on the agenda amid uncertainty over the future of the Ukraine war. The Government said the UK-Serbia deal would allow both countries to share information more quickly, to disrupt organised immigration crime. Ahead of the trip, Mr Lammy said: '(Criminals) are risking lives for profit and becoming increasingly violent in their determination to make as much money as possible. 'This diabolical, lawless trade of smuggling vulnerable people is completely unacceptable and we are determined to end it as we secure the UK's borders under our plan for change. 'With the world becoming more dangerous and unpredictable, the Western Balkans is of critical importance to the UK and Europe's collective security, and the UK remains committed to building resilience and stability in the region.' Earlier this year, former UK ambassador to the US Dame Karen Pierce was appointed special envoy to the Western Balkans as Britain prepares to host a major European summit with leaders from the region. The Berlin Process summit will take place in the UK this autumn. It comes as the Green Party accused Labour of abandoning 'compassion and principle' with a hardened stance on migration, after the party produced a leaflet saying it delivered the 'four biggest deportation flights in UK history'. Co-leader of the Greens Carla Denyer said: 'Labour's recent leaflet boasting about deporting more people than the Tories is sickening. 'Labour are failing to provide safe and legal routes into the UK while seemingly revelling in turning people's lives upside down. 'Any claim the Labour Party may have once had to be a party of compassion or principle has well and truly gone.' Labour said it would 'make no apologies for taking decisive action to secure our borders'. A party spokesperson said: 'The Green Party is clearly not serious about tackling the issues facing our country. 'They want to block our progress on fixing the asylum system, and block new housing and infrastructure projects that will grow our economy and put money back in people's pockets. 'This Labour Government's Plan for Change has seen returns and removals hit their highest rate for eight years, and our new Border Security Command will go after the criminal gangs running this vile trade in human misery.' The start of 2025 has seen the highest number of people making small-boat crossings for the first three months of a year on record. Almost 30,000 people have crossed the English Channel in small boats since Sir Keir became Prime Minister, including 6,642 so far in 2025. Sir Keir earlier this week blamed the Conservatives for failing to prevent people-smuggling gangs targeting the UK, saying Labour inherited a 'total fragmentation' of policing, Border Force and intelligence agencies. He said the Government's Border Security Command would help address those gaps.
