In an interview in Cairo, United States Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf addressed the situation in Libya and clarified that while there is a diversion over Egypt’s stance on the UAE and Turkey-backed head of the Libyan Government of National Unity, Abdul Hamid Dbaiba, “there is a commonality on strategic objectives.” Leaf added, “We politely disagree [with Egypt’s stance on Dbaiba], but we don’t think that this is ultimately the decisive factor. The end game is getting the 3 million who registered to vote the opportunity to elect a unified government for the first time in a decade….We will find a way to leverage our different views. I told Egyptian officials that we see a responsibility to get as many of us, the foreign countries that have an interest in Libya, aligned so that [special representative for the secretary general in Libya Abdoulaye] Bathily can do his work.” Read more from Mada Masr.
Author: Lydia Jabs
USLBA Meeting with CBL Governor HE Saddek ElKaber
On October 12, 2022, the US-Libya Business Association hosted a private meeting with His Excellency Saddek ElKaber Libya’s Central Bank Governor, and USLBA members. The discussion highlighted the CBL’s efforts to increase transparency and foster economic growth in Libya. Participants also noted future opportunities for US companies to deepen their investment in Libya. USLBA is grateful for H.E. and his delegation’s time during his busy visit to Washington, D.C. for the IMF/World Bank Meetings.
USLBA ED Discusses Oil & Gas Sector Ties with Minister Oun
On October 5th, 2022, the US-Libya Business Association (USLBA) Executive Director, Lydia Jabs, met with Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, H.E. Mohamed Oun, on the sidelines of the Africa Oil Week conference held in Cape Town, South Africa. During their meeting, they discussed various ways to strengthen US and Libyan ties in the oil and gas sector.
The discussions highlighted the opportunities and challenges that exist in the oil and gas industry of Libya. They acknowledged the importance of the US-Libyan partnership in developing and expanding the sector, which has been one of the driving forces behind Libya’s economy.
The meeting emphasized the potential for US businesses to invest in Libya’s oil and gas sector and the benefits that would bring to both countries. It also discussed the need to establish stronger relationships between US companies and Libyan counterparts to enable partnerships that would improve technology transfer, and capacity building, and create job opportunities.
USLBA Meets with Foreign Minister Najla El Mangoush
On September 26th, 2022, the US-Libya Business Association (USLBA) met with Libya’s Foreign Minister, Najla El Mangoush, at the Libyan Embassy in Washington D.C. to discuss ways to strengthen economic ties between the United States and Libya. The USLBA is grateful for the opportunity to work with H.E. toward a shared goal of attracting American companies to invest in Libya.
The meeting focused on the current state of economic relations between the two countries and identified areas for growth and cooperation. The USLBA highlighted the importance of increasing foreign investment in Libya and creating a more attractive business environment for American companies.
In conclusion, the meeting between the USLBA and Foreign Minister El Mangoush was an important step toward strengthening economic ties between the United States and Libya. It highlighted the shared goal of attracting American companies to invest in Libya and the need to address challenges to create a more attractive business environment. The USLBA remains committed to promoting investment and trade opportunities between the two countries, and we look forward to continuing our work with Libyan officials toward this shared goal.
UN Appoints Abdoulaye Bathily as Special Representative of the UN for Libya
UN Secretary-General António Guterres today announced the appointment of Abdoulaye Bathily of Senegal as his Special Representative for Libya and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). He previously served as Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General in the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) (2013-2014), and as Special Representative for Central Africa and Head of the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa (UNOCA) in Gabon (2014-2016). In 2018, he was appointed as Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Madagascar and in 2019 as an Independent Expert for the strategic review of the United Nations Office for West Africa. Mr. Bathily held various ministerial positions in the Senegalese Government, notably as Senior Minister in the Office of the President in charge of African Affairs. Read more from UNSMIL.
US Diplomats Discuss Boosting American Diplomatic Presence in Libya
US Assistant Secretary Barbara Leaf and US Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland held talks in Tunis this week to discuss “prospects for boosting the U.S. diplomatic presence in Libya to promote stability, security cooperation, economic growth, and sustainable development”. “We eagerly hope that the US Embassy in Libya can permanently return to Tripoli as soon as possible to provide consular, trade promotion, educational advising, and other services,” stated the Office of Near Eastern Affairs at the U.S. State Department via Twitter. “Libya’s full integration into the global economy is being hampered by actors pursuing destabilizing agendas undermining peace and national unity.” Read more from Libya Update.
US 2022 Fiscal Transparency Report: Libya
Internal political divisions continue to prevent the government from implementing regular budget processes, which adversely affected fiscal transparency and the country’s operations. Audit reports for large state-owned enterprises and information regarding expenditures to support executive offices were not publicly available. Libya does not yet fully use internationally accepted accounting principles. The supreme audit institution did not meet international standards of independence. It may have audited some of the government’s accounts but did not make any public reports available within a reasonable period. The government specified in law or regulation and generally appeared to follow in practice the criteria and procedures for awarding natural resource extraction contracts and licenses. Basic information on natural resource extraction awards was public. Read more from the US State Department.
US Military investigating Air Force Drone that Crashed in Libya
An unmanned Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone crashed in the vicinity of Benghazi, Libya, earlier this week, prompting an investigation by US Africa Command, officials confirmed Wednesday. In a statement provided to Military Times, US AFRICOM spokesperson Lt. Cmdr. Timothy Pietrack said that the “aircraft was operating in support of U.S. Ambassador and Special Envoy to Libya Richard Norland’s diplomatic engagements” when it crashed. Pietrack added that the aircraft’s operation schedule had already been “coordinated with the appropriate Libyan authorities. … We do not have any further information at this time.” It remains unclear whether the drone crash was the result of enemy fire, though there are reports it was shot down by eastern-based Libyan forces. Read more from Military Times.
Who is Farhat Bengdara, the new chief of Libya’s NOC?
Originally from Benghazi, the stronghold of Khalifa Haftar, NOC Chairman Farhat Bengadra is reputed to be close to Gaddafi’s former military cadre but also to the United Arab Emirates, where he was director of Al Masraf Bank. After having ensured the revival of oil production, the former banker, at the helm of Libya’s National Oil Corporation since 14 July, wants to double the pace. His objective? To go from 1.2 million to 3 million barrels per day. To avoid any confrontation with the Libyan tribes, Bengdara has played his company’s “social responsibility” card. He says he is open to discussion and ready to implement tribal demands in terms of health, environmental and agricultural services. He has reiterated this commitment: “The National Oil Company will remain outside all personal and political rivalries.” Read more from the Africa Report.