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Libya

October 22, 2026

Tripoli 8:25 am

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Analysis

What's at stake as Libya's eastern parliament approves Turkey maritime deal

Libya's eastern-based parliament's approval of a long-disputed maritime deal with Turkey marks a strategic win for Ankara as Saddam Hifter seeks Turkish backing for his presidential ambitions, according to analysts.

Ezgi Akin

In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO

US Department of State's senior advisor to the President for Arab and African Affairs Massad Fares Boulos attends a conference for the support of peace and prosperity in the Great Lakes region, in Paris, on October 30, 2025. The international community gathered in Paris on October 30, 2025 to raise awareness about the dire humanitarian situation in the Great Lakes region, aiming to raise hundreds of millions of euros despite a drastic decrease in international aid, particularly from the United States. (Phot

Interview

Trump's Africa adviser denies Libya plan would entrench rival families

The reported unification plan for Libya has been met with pushback in a country torn apart by rival factions and foreign interference.

A commercial vessel is anchored off Yemen's coast at Bab al-Mandeb, in the straits connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean on Sept. 12, 2026.

Explainer

Saudi Yanbu halt deepens oil strain as Europe scrambles for crude

European crude importers are racing to secure new oil shipments as markets brace for the loss of up to 4% of global supplies into October following attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure.

Saddam Hifter meets with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin

Russia’s Putin hosts Saddam Hifter amid instability in Libya: What to know

Moscow has built a strong relationship with Libya’s eastern camp, as Washington and Ankara pursue efforts to reunify the country’s political and military institutions.

Latest News

Analysis

Libya’s oil revival faces new test as violence returns amid US peace push

Libyan firefighting teams attempt to extinguish a fire at the Zawiya refinery, the second-largest oil refinery in Libya, with a refining capacity of 120,000 barrels per day, after a tank belonging to the state-owned Libyan Brega Oil Company was attacked by unknown perpetrators, in Zawiya, Libya, on Aug. 11, 2026.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Turkey’s Fidan heads to Libya as US-backed unification push gathers pace

Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan met with Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity of Libya, in Tripoli on Aug. 11, 2026.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Mohamed Eljarh

With countering migration in mind, Italy to deploy troops to North Africa

As elections are approaching in Italy, questions arise about why parliament approved the increase of Italian troops in North Africa.

Libyan slave trade feeds on endless supply of migrants

Heavy migration from sub-Saharan Africa combined with rampant lawlessness and poverty in the northwestern and southern regions make the smuggling business irresistible to some Libyans.

Libya's revolutionaries: Where are they now?

Several politicians, ministers, diplomats and high-ranking civil servants who were once a part of the Libyan revolution now find themselves in different circumstances.

Hifter set to cast wide influence in potential Libyan elections

Libya’s military strongman, Khalifa Hifter, announced his support for UN-backed elections in the country in a surprising move that could see Hifter and his supporters sweep up power.

Algeria takes independent approach to Qatar crisis

A recent meeting between Qatar's foreign minister and Algeria's prime minister highlights Algiers' unique strategy in the wake of the GCC-Qatar rift.

Ready or not, Libya to hold elections in spring

Libya is set to hold elections in the spring of 2018, although political and security instability bode ill for the process.

In retreat, IS takes advantage of Libya's political divide

Rival forces in Libya are fighting an Islamic State insurgency after the group suffered major blows across the country.

People inspect the damage done to a Sufi shrine, the tomb of Sidi Mohamed Landoulsi, after an explosion in the Tajoura neighbourhood on the outskirts of Tripoli, March 28, 2013. An explosion damaged the shrine early in the morning on Thursday, according to a witness. REUTERS/Stringer (LIBYA - Tags: POLITICS CIVIL UNREST RELIGION) - GM1E93S1S7K01

Sufi sites in Libya under attack

Sufis and other religious minorities in Libya are under constant threat of attack by extremist Salafists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (R) meets with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Seraj in Moscow, Russia, March 2, 2017. REUTERS/Sergei Karpukhin - LR1ED3214Q2X6

Russia seeks well-rounded relations with Libyan factions

Russian envoy on Libya Lev Dengov talks with Al-Monitor about Moscow's plans with Libya.

Putin's visit to Egypt inspires hope for growth in Cairo

Egypt could be seeing the revival of an otherwise lackluster alliance with Russia, a potential relationship that has much to offer both sides.

Men wait in line to get inside a hall during a rally for the Sudan's People Liberation Movement (SPLM) youth in Juba, February 15, 2014. REUTERS/Andreea Campeanu (SOUTH SUDAN - Tags: POLITICS) - GM1EA2F1IE101

Why Egypt is now getting involved in South Sudan

Egypt oversaw the successful signing of a deal to unify the Sudan People's Liberation Movement after it achieved similar foreign policy successes in neighboring countries such as Palestine and Libya.

Militias crack down on social, cultural life in Libya

A crack down on comic books and video games has pushed militias and civil society farther away from each other, prompting the youth to think about fleeing the country.