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Libya

October 20, 2026

Tripoli 8:03 pm

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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

Protests in the capital Tripoli on May 28, 2025.

Protests surge as Libyans demand PM Dbeibeh’s resignation: What to know

The latest protests were triggered by clashes between government-aligned militias in mid-May that left eight dead and deepened public frustration over militia control in Tripoli.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrives to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum on April 11, 2025.

Syria’s Sharaa looks to boost ties with Turkey, Azerbaijan during Antalya visit

The new Syrian president was seeking international recognition at the Turkish forum, while Saudi and other Arab leaders met to discuss Gaza.

Italian energy giant Eni's general director, Claudio Descalzi.

Italy's Eni to invest $26B in Egypt, Libya, Algeria energy projects

Eni is already a leading foreign energy company in the region, with footholds in Algeria, Egypt and Libya.

Muslims perform the morning prayer around the Kaaba at the Grand Mosque in Saudi Arabia's holy city of Mecca, early on March 30, 2025.

Culture

In photos: Muslims celebrate Eid el-Fitr across the Middle East

Muslims in the Middle East came together on Sunday and Monday to celebrate the end of Ramadan.

An oil refinery in the northern town of Ras Lanuf is seen in this photo, Libya, June 3, 2020.

Libya now politically stable, 'attractive' to foreign oil firms: NOC chairman

Since the ousting of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, Libya’s oil sector has been unstable amid political unrest between two warring factions in the east and the west of the country.

A Russian Steregushchiy class corvette arrives at the port of the Sudanese city of Port Sudan, on March 18, 2021.

Analysis

Following Syria losses, Russia seeks to double down on Africa presence

Following Assad’s fall, Russia has been expanding its influence in Africa by securing a naval base in Sudan and increasing its military presence in Libya to maintain strategic access to the Mediterranean and Red seas.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni delivers a national statement during the high level segment on day three of the UNFCCC COP29 Climate Conference at Baku Stadium on Nov. 13, 2024, in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Italy PM Meloni investigated over release of Libyan official: What we know

The Italian government is facing scrutiny after repatriating a Libyan security official wanted by the International Criminal Court.

Military personnel supervise the arrival of aid carried by an Ilyushin Il-76TD transport aircraft of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations, for survivors of the floods that submerged Libya's eastern city of Derna at the airport of Benghazi on September 16, 2023. The floods washed thousands of people and homes out to sea after two upstream dams burst under the pressure of torrential rains triggered by the hurricane-strength storm "Daniel". (Photo by Karim SAHIB / AFP) (Photo by KARIM SAHIB/AFP via Ge

Analysis

Libya braces for Trump 2.0: Navigating geopolitics, energy, Abraham Accords

With Turkey and Russia both competing for influence in Libya, the Trump administration could explore opportunities to strengthen energy security and encourage Tripoli to join the Abraham Accords.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

TOPSHOT - A Syrian rebel fighter (C) looks on as he stands at an inspection checkpoint for incoming vehicles before a Russian flag and Russian soldiers behind manning the entrance of the Russian-leased Syrian military base of Hmeimim in Latakia province in western Syria on December 29, 2024. (Photo by AAREF WATAD / AFP) (Photo by AAREF WATAD/AFP via Getty Images)

Analysis

Russia eyes Libya as military substitute for Syria? Not so fast, say Libyans

Despite its ambitions to relocate military assets from Syria to Libya following Assad's fall, Russia faces significant challenges in Libya's complex political landscape, limiting its ability to achieve this goal.

Mohamed Eljarh

By Mohamed Eljarh

French former president Nicolas Sarkozy (C) and his wife Carla Bruni-Sarkozy arrive to vote for the first round of parliamentary elections in Paris, on June 30, 2024. A divided France is voting in high-stakes parliamentary elections that could see the anti-immigrant and eurosceptic party of Marine Le Pen sweep to power in a historic first. The candidates formally ended their frantic campaigns at midnight June 28, with political activity banned until the first round of voting. (Photo by ARNAUD FINISTRE / AFP

France’s Sarkozy stands trial on alleged Libya funding: What we know

Former President Nicolas Sarkozy denies allegations that he received 50 million euros to fund his 2007 election campaign from late Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi.

Forces opposed to Libya's unity government ride a truck in the Zueitina oil terminal, Sept. 14, 2016.

Analysis

After Libya's Central Bank turmoil, can its oil sector recover?

Although largely resolved, Libya’s Central Bank crisis highlighted the vulnerability of the country’s oil sector, which depends on political and security stability.

Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

By Jonathan Fenton-Harvey

In London, reporting on North Africa and Gulf politics

ENI headquarter in San Donato Milanese, near Milan, Italy, Oct. 27, 2017.

After decade halt, Eni, BP resume hydrocarbon exploration in Libya

Onshore drilling had been suspended for a decade, since the beginning of the Libyan civil war between rival factions in the country’s east and west.