Latest news with #Libya
Zawya
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Murqub District youth: "Transitional periods must come to an end"
Twenty-two young men and women from Murqub District and the surrounding area joined UNSMIL officials in an online consultation Monday to share their thoughts on the Advisory Committee's proposals to take Libya to elections and unify state institutions. 'The transitional phases have resulted in a loss of trust from the public in the institutions,' said one participant. 'All options have pros and cons, but the national dialogue must be linked to the electoral track,' they added. Participants were briefed on the four options put forward by the Advisory Committee in May. As outlined in the Executive Summary of the Advisory Committee's report, the options include: Holding simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, then adopt a constitution; Holding parliamentary elections followed by adopting a permanent constitution, followed by presidential elections; Adopting a permanent constitution before national elections; or Dissolving existing institutions and forming a new dialogue forum that appoints an executive and selects a 60-member constituent assembly to adopt a temporary constitution and electoral laws for national elections. Many of the participants favoured option four; however, others discussed the importance of holding presidential elections and stressed the need for a constitution. Others said Libya already had one dialogue forum and a referendum would be needed to launch a second. 'The government must be elected by the people,' said one participant, noting that some of the current leaders have been in power seven years. 'Transitional governments must end.' Many participants raised their frustration with those who have acted as spoilers in the past to prevent elections. They highlighted that this would likely happen again and that the UN Security Council needed to be more robust with sanctions to prevent this. 'Option four with amendments is the best option,' said another participant, adding that there needed to be strict conditions such as timeframes and limited tasks. A youth council member from Al Khums highlighted the need for transitional justice, reparations and fact finding, saying that very little has been achieved on national reconciliation. Without this, they said, the country would be unable to move forward. 'Preventing hate speech and educating the public to build a political culture should be something that UNSMIL focuses on in partnership with the media,' said another participant, with others agreeing that hate speech has a damaging effect on society and political discussion. All participants were encouraged to complete UNSMIL's poll requesting formal feedback from the public on the political process to ensure that their voices were heard. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Forbes
18 hours ago
- Science
- Forbes
How To See The Epic 6-Minute Total Solar Eclipse In 2027
Libyan youths watch the solar eclipse in the desert tourist camp in Galo, 1300 km south of the ... More Libyan capital of Tripoli, 29 March 2006. Thousands of astronomers and thrill-seekers gazed heavenward, prayers were said by the faithful and schools shut for the day as the three-hour celestial ballet raced across half the world. AFP PHOTO/KHALED DESOUKI (Photo credit should read KHALED DESOUKI/AFP via Getty Images) There's a 6-minute total solar eclipse in 2027 — one of the longest and most significant eclipses of the 21st century. It will take place on Monday, Aug. 2, 2027, in 10 countries, but aside from a small partial solar eclipse in Newfoundland, Canada, it won't be visible from North America. Whether the length of totality is critical is arguable, but there's no doubt that the 2027 total solar eclipse will be an epic experience. Here's everything you need to know about the 2027 total solar eclipse — the 'Great North African Eclipse,' dubbed the 'eclipse of the century.' 6-Minute Total Solar Eclipse in 2027: Where Will It Be Visible? A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes directly between Earth and the Sun, fully covering the sun's disk for observers within a narrow path of totality. On Aug. 2, 2027, that path will be around 160 miles (258 kilometers) wide and pass through three continents: After a totally eclipsed sunrise in the ocean, the moon's central shadow will first touch land in the aptly-named Costa de la Luz (Coast of the Light) in Spain's Andalusia region and also envelop the British Overseas Territory of Gibraltar. As the path touches southern Spain, it also hits Morocco, followed by Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. It's in the latter that it reaches its longest duration at 6 minutes 22 seconds. The edge of the path also clips the northeastern corner of Sudan. After it leaves Egypt, the path crosses the Red Sea and enters Saudi Arabia, then Yemen. The path clips the Horn of Africa, including Somalia, then ends as a totally eclipsed sunset close to the Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean. According to Timeanddate, the path crosses 89 million people — about twice as many as crossed by the total solar eclipse on Apr. 8, 2024, in North America. 6-Minute Total Solar Eclipse in 2027: How To Choose Where To Watch It Choosing where to experience the 2027 total solar eclipse will be down to what you want to experience and where you want to visit. However, it's a relatively rare eclipse in that the chances of clouds are small over most of the path. Luxor, Egypt, is where many eclipse chasers will head for its longest totality and the chance to visit the Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, Karnak, the Colossi of Menmom and Luxor Temple. However, Tunisia (specifically, the city of Sfax) is likely significantly cooler and still had 5 5-minute 42-second totality. Even Egypt has a few other options, such as Siwa Oasis (southwest of Cairo) and the Red Sea (though the path misses Hurghada). Southern Spain is another good option, albeit with a shorter totality. View of the Karnak temple in the evening - Luxor, Egypt 6-Minute Total Solar Eclipse in 2027: 10 Places To Watch It The best places to experience the 2027 total solar eclipse are subjective, but here are some sample locations: 6-Minute Total Solar Eclipse in 2027: Why Is It So Long? The longest total solar eclipses take place when the moon is closest to Earth on its elliptical orbit, and when the its shadow strikes close to the equator (which is closer to the moon). Technically, a total solar eclipse could last 7 minutes 31 seconds, according to Jean Meeus, but the longest total solar eclipse known to have occurred was 7 minutes, 28 seconds on June 15, 743 BC, in the Indian Ocean. The longest until the year 3,000 will occur in the Atlantic Ocean on July 16, 2186, and last 7 minutes, 29 seconds. Northwest Fjord in the far reaches of Scoresbysund in eastern Greenland. When Is The Next Eclipse? It may be the longest of the century on land, but the 2027 eclipse is the middle child in three spectacular total solar eclipses coming up in succession. Since eclipse-mania is in full swing since 2024, eclipse chasers should start planning now. Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
Arab News
a day ago
- Politics
- Arab News
More than 100 migrants freed in Libya after being held captive by gang, officials say
BENGHAZI: More than 100 migrants, including five women, have been freed from captivity after being held for ransom by a gang in eastern Libya, the country's attorney general said on Monday. 'A criminal group involved in organizing the smuggling of migrants, depriving them of their freedom, trafficking them, and torturing them to force their families to pay ransoms for their release,' a statement from the attorney general said. Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe via the dangerous route across the desert and over the Mediterranean following the toppling of Muammar Qaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. Many migrants desperate to make the crossing have fallen into the hands of traffickers. The freed migrants had been held in Ajdabiya, some 160 km (100 miles) from Libya's second city Benghazi. Five suspected traffickers from Libya, Sudan and Egypt, have been arrested, officials said. The attorney general and Ajdabiya security directorate posted pictures of the migrants on their Facebook pages which they said had been retrieved from the suspects' mobile phones. They showed migrants with hands and legs cuffed with signs that they had been beaten. In February, at least 28 bodies were recovered from a mass grave in the desert north of Kufra city. Officials said a gang had subjected the migrants to torture and inhumane treatment. That followed another 19 bodies being found in a mass grave in the Jikharra area, also in southeastern Libya, a security directorate said, blaming a known smuggling network. As of December 2024, around 825,000 migrants from 47 countries were recorded in Libya, according to UN data released in May. Last week, the EU migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece met with the internationally recognized prime minister of the national unity government, Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and discussed the migration crisis.
Zawya
2 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) public poll hits 10,000 responses — add your voice!
More than ten thousand people have completed UNSMIL's online public poll, submitting their views on the best way to approach the political process to take Libya to elections. The Mission encourages all Libyans to put their voices forward before the poll closes. The poll seeks feedback on the Advisory Committee's four proposed plans to take Libya to elections, preconditions for a successful power transfer, and ways to guarantee progress – among other things. The data collected, along with the outcomes of in-person consultations across the country, will be used to inform the development of the roadmap for the next step of the political process. 'Public participation is crucial to ensuring a Libyan-led, Libyan-owned political process,' said Special Representative of the Secretary-General Hanna Tetteh. 'We want Libyans from all walks of life, across the country to share their opinions and ideas. We are listening.' In particular, the Mission would like to hear from more women, cultural components, and people with disabilities. Libyans from the south and east are especially urged to join the conversation. In addition to online polling, the Mission will also be undertaking two telephone surveys, delivered through third parties, to ensure that as many people as possible are included in the process. Among those who have responded to the poll so far, the largest share indicated that they see unifying state institutions and eliminating political division as the most urgent issues to address, followed by security sector reform. When asked how the political division affects their life, respondents indicated their top two concerns were the security situation and a lack of rule of law and accountability for human rights violations. 'There is no proper education or healthcare, and every day there is a shortage of services – especially in areas where no party has clear influence,' wrote a student from Tripoli. 'Every area is ruled by a group or militia, and we don't know anyone we can turn to in times of hardship. Fear is constant. Prices are skyrocketing and people's money is blocked in the banks. Unemployment has reached dangerous levels. Then, there is no real justice or accountability.' In addition to voting on their favourite of the Advisory Committee's four proposed roadmaps, more than 3,000 people submitted written ideas to strengthen the political process. Some commonly raised suggestions included: forming a new transitional government to oversee elections with a binding timetable and guaranteeing the people's right to participate in elections. 'We should let people decide which kind of country they want to have,' one woman from Zwara wrote. 'This can only be done by removing all current characters from the field.' A university professor from Wadi Ashshati argued that the Advisory Committee's first option, which entails conducting simultaneous presidential and legislative elections, was the only option that 'represents the voice of all components of Libyan society without exception' and 'fully renews legitimacy by eliminating current bodies that have proven their failure.' 'This is the true path if the United Nations is serious about supporting Libyans to achieve stability and prosperity,' he wrote. In support of Option 2, which proposes holding legislative elections first, followed by adopting a permanent constitution, and then holding presidential elections, a woman from Benghazi wrote: 'I do not want the current bodies. I want parliamentary elections for a new national assembly with two chambers so that the House of Representatives does not monopolize power.' "I believe a permanent constitution will pave the way for fair and free, democratic elections,' wrote an Al Kufra man, voicing support for Option 3, which calls for the adoption of a permanent constitution prior to any elections. This is critical, a Tripoli man wrote, because "the constitution will decide whether the governmental system is a presidential, monarchy or parliamentary system." Another man from Tripoli voted for the Advisory Committee's fourth option, which proposed a political dialogue forum be launched to establish new transitional arrangements for elections in line with Article 64 of the Libyan Political Agreement, because, he wrote, 'of the difficulty of holding elections and unifying the military and security establishment, and the fear that the results will not be accepted by the parties that possess weapons.' Appointing a constituent assembly, he wrote, would help to 'enforce election results.' Asked about their priority for a political roadmap, respondents were equally divided among the importance of political feasibility, avoiding the extension of transitional periods, and establishing the fastest road to elections. One respondent from Azzawya underlined the need to 'restore trust between the people and the state.' 'All parties must be compelled to make concessions for the sake of the country,' wrote a respondent from Ghiryan. Results are preliminary. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
African Energy Week (AEW) 2025 to Outline African Block Opportunities Amid Surge in 2024/2025 Licensing Rounds
Africa is gearing up to attract a wave of investment in exploration blocks, with a surge in oil and gas licensing rounds being launched during the 2024/2025 period. According to the African Energy Chamber's State of African Energy 2025 Outlook Report ( these efforts are part of a broader strategy to unlock the continent's untapped energy potential, attract international investment and stimulate long-term economic growth. This year's African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energies conference will spotlight Africa's licensing rounds, connecting operators to emerging blocks opportunities across the continent. North Africa Libya launched its latest licensing round in March 2025, offering 22 onshore and offshore exploration blocks across the Sirte, Murzuq and Ghadames basins. The licensing round has already drawn interest from 37 prospective companies, with contracts with successful bidders expected to be signed by the end of the year. Representing the country's first licensing round since 2011, the initiative comes as Libya seeks to increase production to two million barrels per day. Algeria awarded five licenses in June 2025 as part of its latest oil and gas bid round. Launched in November 2024, the bid round featured sic onshore blocks for competitive bidding and falls part of a broader multi-year licensing strategy aimed at attracting global investment in exploration opportunities. The blocks span five basins and represents a core component of the country's strategy to invest up to $50 billion into hydrocarbon projects over the next four years. Egypt launched a new bid round in March 2025, comprising 12 investment opportunities. The bid round includes 10 offshore blocks in the Mediterranean Sea and two onshore blocks in the Nile Delta region and comes as the country intensifies exploration across undeveloped acreage. West Africa Sierra Leone is preparing to launch a new licensing round in 2025 as part of its drive to fast-track exploration and become an oil-producing nation. The country currently has around 50 offshore blocks available for direct negotiation, spanning 63,000 km² and backed by a proven petroleum system. The upcoming licensing round will further entice spending. Nigeria is set to launch a new oil and gas licensing round in 2025, focusing on undeveloped fields. The upcoming round follows the successful conclusion of a 2024 tender, whereby 25 companies were awarded Petroleum Prospecting Licenses. Liberia also initiated a Direct Negotiation Licensing Round in 2024, with 29 offshore blocks available for investment in the Liberia and Harper basins. The licensing round seeks to drive new investment in the country's frontier basins and is supported by an extensive library of multi-client subsurface data, including over 24,000 kilometers of 2D seismic data and more than 26,000 km² of 3D seismic data. East Africa Tanzania is preparing to offer new oil and gas exploration opportunities with a licensing round launching in 2025. A total of 26 blocks will be made available, including three blocks in Lake Tanganyika and 23 in the Indian Ocean. The country's upstream regulator the Petroleum Upstream Regulatory Authority has already identified the blocks and compiled the necessary data for the process. Following government approval for the Model Production Sharing Agreement, the licensing round will be launched. The round represents the first in more than ten years. Additionally, Kenya is expected to launch its inaugural oil and gas licensing round in September 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration. The blocks were selected using geoscientific data to ensure a transparent allocation process. The licensing round is supported by comprehensive seismic surveys and geological reports, thereby supporting future exploration activities. Primary targets include the Lamu and Anza basins, both of which are known for their hydrocarbon potential. Uganda is also set to launch a licensing round during the 2025/2026 fiscal year, offering new areas for oil and gas exploration. Southern Africa Part of its six-year licensing strategy, Angola is expected to launch its next licensing round in 2025, offering ten blocks for exploration in the offshore Kwanza and Benguela basins. The bid round follows the successful conclusion of a 2023 tender, whereby nine companies qualified as operators and five qualified as non-operators. Namibia rolled out an open-door licensing system in 2024 to address its backlog of applications and streamline procedures. The system comes as the country experiences a surge in exploration interest following major discoveries made since 2022. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Energy Chamber.
