Eni’s decision last week to push ahead with the Structures A&E development offshore Libya will be a shot in the arm for the country’s gas-fired power generation when the giant project comes on stream in 2026. Notably, the $8 billion project, which the Italian major is developing in partnership with the National Oil Corporation of Libya (NOC), is also being billed as an additional source of natural gas for Europe as the region cuts its gas-supply ties with Russia. Read more from Upstream.
Month: January 2023
USLBA Hosts Discussion with US Ambassador Norland
On January 26, the US-Libya Business Association invited Ambassador Richard Norland, US Special Envoy to Libya, to a roundtable discussion in Washington, D.C. to review recent political and economic developments affecting US-Libyan relations. USLBA is grateful to the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs and the US Embassy Libya External Office for their efforts to support US companies that operate in Libya.
SRSG Bathily Calls for Resources, Political Commitment to Ceasefire
After the conclusion of the latest meeting of the Joint Military Commission (5+5) in Sirte, SRSG Abdoulaye Bathily Monday called on the national authorities to recommit to fully support the implementation of Libya’s 2020 ceasefire agreement. He called upon the government to allocate appropriate resources and step up political efforts to end the stalemate and reestablish legitimacy to Libyan institutions through elections. SRSG Bathily, who chaired the two-day meetings, commended JMC members for their “determination and commitment towards peace and stability in Libya and its unity and integrity.” He called on political leaders “to show the same spirit of unity and abnegation as their brothers in uniform in the Joint Military Commission in order to overcome the current crisis.” Read more from UNSMIL.
CIA Director Bill Burns Arrives in Libya on Surprise Visit
U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) chief William Burns made a rare trip to Libya on Thursday, meeting Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah in Tripoli, the Libyan government said. Dbeibah’s Government of National Unity announced the visit on its Facebook page, posting a picture of Burns and Dbeibah together. Two sources close to eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, who is based in Benghazi, said Burns had also met with him. The CIA, which does not regularly announce such visits, declined to comment. Read more from Reuters.
Libyan Oil Minister, US State Department Officials Meet in Washington
Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohammed Oun, met with US State Department and White House officials in Washington this week. During the meeting, Oun presented the ministry’s vision for the future of the oil sector, and its endeavor to improve transparency and good governance. Oun highlighted the importance of American technology and experience and the role the US can play in exploring and developing oil fields in Libya, in addition to exploiting shale oil and gas reserves which would contribute to the needs of the global market. The American side reaffirmed support for the vision of the Ministry of Oil and Gas in Libya and the importance of taking the benefit from oil revenues to serve Libyans, noting that the American administration does not object to providing technical and practical assistance through its companies in the field of oil and gas. Read more from the Libya Observer.
US Ambassador Statement on HoR + HSC Discussions in Cairo
On Twitter, US Special Envoy Ambassador Richard Norland said, “The conclusion of discussions between the leaders of the HoR and HSC today in Cairo leaves no reason to delay setting an early date for parliamentary and presidential elections. We share the desire of all Libyans to see Libyan leaders adopt the necessary measures as quickly as possible allowing HNEC to proceed w/ setting the electoral process in motion. We express our appreciation to the Government of Egypt for facilitating this important milestone.” The United States strongly supports UNSMIL SRSG BAthily and calls for a national consensus in Libya on establishing a clear timeline for elections. There is no other way to secure stability and long-term peace. Read the full statement on Twitter.