Latest news with #MassadBoulos
Libya Review
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Is Libya Becoming a Top Priority for the US Again?
Libya has returned to the center of US foreign policy priorities as the Trump administration enters its second term. In a region marked by growing instability and shifting global rivalries, Libya's strategic location, energy reserves, and fractured political landscape have brought it back into sharp focus for Washington. US President Trump's senior advisor for Africa, Massad Boulos, to both Tripoli and Benghazi, signaled a serious attempt by the US to re-engage with key Libyan players. The visit was not ceremonial; it was a direct move to gather intelligence on the balance of power, reassess local dynamics, and prepare for more active US involvement. In his meeting with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba in Tripoli, Boulos raised concerns over the fragile security situation, particularly the uncontrolled spread of armed groups and the weakening authority of the state. These concerns are not new, but they are now more urgent as Washington views Libya as both a potential partner and a potential risk amid global energy uncertainties and the growing influence of Russia and China across Africa. In Benghazi, discussions reflected the reality that the Libyan National Army controls most of the country's territory, including major oil fields and border zones. This territorial control offers a level of stability absent in Tripoli but also underscores the ongoing divide between Libya's eastern and western factions. For the US, Libya presents a strategic opportunity if stability can be restored. The country offers alternative energy routes, a launchpad for regional engagement, and a buffer against chaos in the Sahel and North Africa. But engagement depends on one condition: security. Despite renewed attention, Washington has yet to outline a clear Libya strategy. There is no formal US initiative on the political process, elections, or conflict resolution. This ambiguity raises questions about whether the US is prepared to move from symbolic visits to meaningful policy action. Libya now stands at a crossroads, between investment and instability, between attention and action. Whether the US becomes a true partner or just another distant observer may depend on how Libyan leaders respond to this moment. Tags: libyaTrumpusWashington
Ya Biladi
12 hours ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Boulos visit to Algiers draws response from MSP, silence from Polisario
Massad Boulos, senior advisor to U.S. President Donald Trump on African affairs, made a high-level visit to Algeria on July 26 and 27. In Algiers, he was accompanied by Joshua Harris, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State in the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs. While the American delegation did not publicly address the Western Sahara issue following meetings with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, the Sahrawi Movement for Peace (MSP) welcomed U.S. involvement in efforts to resolve the conflict. «The MSP welcomes the United States' engagement in seeking a solution to the Western Sahara conflict», Hach Ahmed Bericalla, the MSP's secretary-general, told Yabiladi. «From his first term, President Trump has emphasized that achieving peace and stability in North Africa hinges on reconciliation between the two principal regional powers, Morocco and Algeria. The MSP appreciates the U.S.'s dedication to finding a peaceful, just, and lasting resolution to the conflict, as well as the potential role they can play as guarantors of this solution», he added. «We responded to this visit because the MSP represents a third way. We aim for a peaceful resolution to this issue and maintain independence in our decisions». Meanwhile, the Polisario Front chose to remain silent. Media outlets affiliated with the group merely relayed an Algerian Press Service (APS) dispatch covering the meeting between Massad Boulos and Algeria's Foreign Minister, Ahmed Attaf. In the aftermath of the visit by Trump's special advisor for Africa, the Polisario's general secretariat met on Monday, July 28, to «review internal and external issues».
Libya Herald
4 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Herald
US Embassy Libya labels rumours of US intention to relocate Gazans to Libya as ‘‘fake news''
The US Embassy in Libya said today that it reiterates that assertions that the United States is seeking to relocate people of Gaza to Libya are inflammatory and totally false. It characterised the rumours as ''fake news''. The US Embassy statement comes on the back of the visit of President Donald Trump's Senior Adviser on African affairs Massad Boulos to Tripoli last Wednesday (23 July). The Tripoli government reported that they discussed several common issues including various business investments in Libya for US companies and the Palestinian issue. Trump Administration supports for stabilisation of Libya For his part, Advisor Massad Boulos, the Tripoli government reported, expressed the US administration's support for stabilisation efforts in Libya, stressing Washington's interest in continuing coordination and expanding areas of cooperation with the Tripoli government. . Trump Africa Advisor Boulos arrives in Tripoli – Aldabaiba offers several business incentives Continue Reading Tags: Gaza PalestineUS EmbassyUS UNITED STATES America
Libya Review
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
US Advisor Praises Haftar's Role in Libya's Stability
The General Commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, met on Thursday in Benghazi with Massad Boulos, a senior advisor to US President Donald Trump for African affairs, to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Libya and the United States. The meeting took place at the General Command headquarters and included members of the American delegation currently visiting the country. According to a statement from the LNA's media office, the talks covered the latest developments in Libya and the broader region, with an emphasis on building future partnerships between the two countries. The discussions focused on potential cooperation in key sectors such as the economy, industry, and investment, as Libya looks to rebuild and attract international partners. Boulos praised the role of the Libyan National Army in improving security conditions on the ground, saying that stability in Libya is essential for ensuring wider security across North Africa and the Mediterranean region. He emphasized that the United States views Libya as a country with significant potential and expressed interest in expanding bilateral ties to serve shared long-term interests. The meeting highlighted Washington's growing willingness to engage with actors across the Libyan political and military spectrum, amid international calls for elections and national reconciliation. While no formal announcements were made, the tone of the meeting suggested a mutual interest in opening new channels for dialogue, especially in areas that support economic development and regional stability. Tags: benghazikhalifa haftarlibyaTrump Advisorus
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Libya's Mellitah to work with Hill on two gas projects
Mellitah Oil and Gas has entered into an agreement with US-based Hill International to oversee a significant project aimed at enhancing Libya's gas production. Mellitah Oil and Gas is a joint venture between Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Italian energy company Eni. The signing of the agreement took place during a visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli by US President Donald Trump's senior adviser for Africa, Massad Boulos. The project, known as Structures A&E, is set to elevate local gas output and ensure exports to Europe. It will see the development of two gas fields in contractual area D, offshore Libya. With production due to commence next year, the fields are expected to yield up to 750 million cubic feet of gas per day. The development will be supported by two main platforms, which will be integrated into the existing treatment facilities at the Mellitah complex. In addition to boosting gas production, the project includes the construction of a carbon capture and storage (CCS) facility at Mellitah. This facility aligns with Eni's decarbonisation strategy and aims to significantly reduce the overall carbon footprint. The estimated investment for the project stands at $8bn (Ld43.23bn), with a substantial impact anticipated for the industry and its supply chain, thereby contributing notably to the economy of Libya. During the discussions, NOC presented Libya's strategy to increase oil production to two million barrels per day by 2030. Massad Boulos also engaged with Libya Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, as reported by Reuters, citing a statement from the prime minister's office. Prime Minister Dbeibah expressed his government's commitment to forging economic collaborations with Washington, which would pave the way for US companies to engage in development and investment projects in Libya. The prime minister's team showcased a range of strategic economic partnership projects, valued at around $70bn. These projects span various sectors including minerals, energy and electricity, and are ready for investment. "Libya's Mellitah to work with Hill on two gas projects" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
