Mediaboss Marketing

The Libyan Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord, Fayez Al-Serraj, arrived in Qatar on Saturday on a formal visit to Doha to meet Qatari officials.

The Qatari Foreign Minister, Abdel Rahman Al Thani, received the Libyan delegation headed by Al-Serraj at the Royal Palace and reaffirmed his countrys support for the political process and unity in Libya.

We will keep pushing for efforts to establish accord among Libyan parties to help Libya be stable and secure and help all Libyans lead a normal life. The Qatari FM said, according to the media office of the GNA.

On Sunday, Al-Sirraj also met with the Qatari Prince, Tamim Al Thani, and discussed mutual relations and joint interests between the two countries.

The Qatari Prince stressed his countrys commitment to helping Libya and to support the GNA, calling on the international community to be committed to its resolutions and assist the GNA and sanction the parties hindering its work.

More:
Qatar hosts Libyan PM to reiterate its support for unity government in Libya - Libyan Express

Indications that Russia could intervene militarily in Libyas messy civil war are growing. If it does, the Trump White House will face a tangle of unpleasant choices with far-reaching consequences. Will the new U.S. administration acquiesce to Russias strongman vision for the region, or push back against Russias growing influence there?

For months, the Kremlin has sought to draw Libyas eastern potentate General Khalifa Hiftar into its orbit. Hiftar is currently the de facto leader of a bloc of eastern Libyan forces that oppose Libyas internationally recognized government in Tripoli, the so called Government of National Accord. Negotiations between the two sides are going nowhere and rumors of a potential Hiftar offensive against the Tripoli government have been swirling for months.

Hiftar has been to Moscow and paid a visit to the Russian aircraft carrier Kuznetsov in the Mediterranean, during which he held a video call with Russian Defense Minister Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Then, last week, Moscow reportedly deployed troops to a base on Egypts northern coast just 60 miles from the border crossing with Libya.

There are a few ways to interpret their latest move: It could just be posturing, part of a Russian hybrid warfare strategy aimed at influencing ongoing negotiations over Libyas future. But there are plenty of reasons to believe it may be the early phase of a Russian intervention.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is eager to underscore the challenges that U.S. pro-democracy interventions in the Middle East have faced and offer up an alternative Russian strategy that relies on authoritarian leaders that look a lot like Putin himself. The 2011 NATO intervention in Libya has long been a target of Kremlin criticism and the chance to portray Russia as Libyas savior as Russia has attempted to do in Syria must be more than a little tempting for the Russian president.

Closer ties to Libya would also offer Russia the chance to extend its reach further along the Mediterraneans southern littoral i.e. NATOs southern flank. Russia could, for example, seek to deploy advanced anti-access, area-denial systems along the Libyan coast, significantly enlarging the anti-access bubble that it has already established in the Eastern Mediterranean with similar deployments in Syria a bubble that was already raising significant concern with top U.S. military commanders a year ago.

Influence over Libya meanwhile offers Russia leverage over Europe when it comes to the challenge posed by the increasingly deadly central Mediterranean migration route, which begins in Libya.

Libyas high quality crude is yet another reason for Moscow to throw its weight behind Hiftar. The Kremlin is fixated on the coming global competition for natural resources and the Russian oil and gas company, Rosneft, just signed a new agreement with Libyas National Oil Corporation in February. Despite a few recent setbacks, Hiftar controls a significant amount of Libyas oil infrastructure in the east and has influence over some western fields as well.

A Russian move into Libya would put the Trump team in an extremely tough spot. The U.S. has invested time and energy in supporting the Tripoli government. Moreover, U.S. and allied special forces worked with Libyan militias aligned with Tripoli in a successful counter-terrorism operation that ousted the Islamic State from the town of Sirte last year. Russian dominance in Libya could lead Italy to scuttle the sanctions regime the United States and European Union imposed on Russia on account of its annexation of Crimea and invasion of eastern Ukraine in 2014. A deeper Russian anti-access area denial pocket would meanwhile be a challenge for U.S. Military operations in the region.

If Moscow backs a Hiftar move on Tripoli, would the U.S. step aside and let its Libyan partners get crushed by a Russian-backed force? Or would it try to take action potentially even militarily to slow Hiftar down and give these allies a fighting chance of avoiding calamity?

Its not an easy choice.

Supporting the government in Tripoli would require at least some U.S. boots on the ground. A large U.S. deployment might deter a Russian intervention, but would likely meet very strong resistance within the U.S. A small-scale intervention would be more feasible, but even if U.S. advisors operated far from the front lines they would still be at risk should Russian warplanes support a Hiftar advance as they have for forces loyal to the regime of Bashar Assad in Syria.

Moreover, overt action against a Russian ally would kill the broader U.S.-Russian reset that the White House still seems to want. True, the Trump administration has sent conflicting signals about its views on Russia, with some senior officials evincing near sympathy for Putin, while others clearly harbor deep suspicion. Nevertheless, going toe-to-toe with Russia in Libya would clearly put an end to the Putin-Trump attempt at reconciliation.

The risk, then, is that the U.S. and its allies would end up largely on the sidelines as Russia installs another strongman in the region, and extends its power along NATOs southern flank. This would be a tragic outcome to the story that began with such high hopes in 2011 and another boost to Putins prestige.

Christopher S. Chivvis is associate director of the RAND International Security and Defense Policy Center and Amanda Kadlec is a policy analyst at the non-profit, non-partisan RAND Corporation.

See the original post:
What Americans Need To Know If Russia Intervenes in Libya's Civil ... - Fortune

A TradeMaltastudyhas shown that Malta-basedmanufacturing companies showedan increased interest in Algeria following thecollapse of the security situation in Libya

Malta-based manufacturers focus on near markets, primarily in Europe, but are also seeking to develop new markets, especially in the Middle East and North Africa

The TradeMalta study, aimed at providing insights into the profile of internationally oriented companies in the non-food manufacturing sector, indicated that Malta-based manufacturers focus on near markets, primarily in Europe, but are also seeking to develop new markets, especially in the Middle East and North Africa.

However, following the ongoing unrest in Libya, the study found an increased interest in Algeria, another oil-based economy close to Malta.

The study, which covered a large variety of subsectors, also revealed that the cost of shipping and freight was listed as the most important barrier to export, followed by challenges in finding customers and agents.

Furthermore, more than 85% of the studys respondents claimed to have an export share of either below 20% or above 80%, meaning they were either small or large exporters. However, the study concluded that there is a fairly even distribution of smaller and larger companies represented among the exporting manufacturers in Malta.

With regard to access to finance, the most pressing issue was problems for clients in opening letters of credit. This was especially problematic for the experienced exporters with a large export share, according to the study.

While all respondents were keen to receive financial assistance to all export related activities, the results showed that attending and exhibiting in trade fairs is the activity for which manufacturing companies are most keen to obtain financial assistance. This was followed by assistance to travel to foreign markets.

Here is the original post:
Manufacturing companies eye Algeria following unrest in Libya - MaltaToday

Forbes

From Libya To The United States, These Exhibits Expose The Secret Mechanisms Of State Surveillance Forbes If you're reading these words in a public space, there's a good chance that you're under surveillance. From sidewalks to subways, security cameras are now ubiquitous, passively observing the guilty and innocent alike. A few years ago, the artist Andrew ...

See the original post here:
From Libya To The United States, These Exhibits Expose The Secret Mechanisms Of State Surveillance - Forbes

A Libyan court has suspended an agreement struck with Italy aiming to reduce refugee boat crossings across the Mediterranean Sea.

A document released by the justice ministry in Tripoli did not give a reason for the move, which comes as an increasing numbers of migrants are launched by smugglers towards Europe with the arrival of spring.

The justice ministry of the Government of National Accord (GNA) confirms that the court is still examining the issue in order pending a ruling, and that no final judgement has been issued, it said.

The GNA is not recognised by Libya's Tobruk-based parliament, which backs a rival administration in eastern regions where a powerful Russian-backed warlord holds sway.

The rival parliament declared the agreement struck between Tripoli and Italy null and void in February and declared the GNA had no legal status in the Libyan state.

Continued conflict between warring parties since the Nato-backed removal of Muammar Gaddafi has worsened around crucial oil ports this month, endangering European efforts to replicate the EU-Turkey deal, which dramatically cut refugee crossings to Greece last year.

Rising arrivals to Italy sparked attempts to stem the flow by increasing cooperation with authorities in Libya, where 90 per cent of boats crossing the Central Mediterranean are launched.

Desperate journeys: Rescued at sea, refugees detail abuse in Libya

But the UN-backed GNA is failing to regain territory controlled by factions including Isis, while armed gangs and smugglers have capitalised on widespread lawlessness to detain, extort, enslave and eventually export migrants for profit.

More than 5,000 asylum seekers were killed attempting the treacherous crossing in 2016 and a record of at least 583 more have died so far this year, with fears of another 240 drowning when their dinghies sunk last week.

A deal struck between the Italian and Libyan prime ministers in February said it aimed to tackle people smuggling, with Paolo Gentiloni pledging millions of Euros and equipment to bolster the capacity of Libyan authorities.

The move, backed by fellow EU member states at a summit in Malta, alarmed the UN and humanitarian agencies who have long reported the murder, torture, rape and abuse of migrants in both government and militia-run detention centres.

The Libyan coastguard, being trained by the UK and other European nations, is additionally accused of attacking international rescue ships, shooting refugees and causing hundreds to drown.

Almost 22,000 migrants have been rescued at sea and taken to Italy so far this year, mainly from sub-Saharan African countries and Bangladesh.

EU leaders are aiming to shift some of the responsibility for search and rescue operations to the Libyan government and hope to set up new migrant camps in the country where failed asylum seekers can be returned to their home countries before journeying to Europe.

But the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) cautioned that it could take a long time for facilities to meet international humanitarian standards.

There are a number of vital issues that need to be addressed regarding Libya, Stephane Jaquemet, the UNHCRs regional representative for southern Europe, told The Independent.

Interior ministers from Libya, Tunisia, Italy, Germany, Malta and other nations affected by the crisis released a fresh declaration to tackle the root causes of migration and combat smuggling on Monday, but it was unclear how their aim can be achieved.

Tensions are also increasing over Russias alleged support for General Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army resists the GNA.

Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, leaves the Russia's foreign ministry after a meeting in November 2016 (AFP/Getty)

The 73-year-old veteran, who served under Gaddafi before fighting to oust him in 2011, visited Moscow twice last year and was invited on to Russias Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier as it returned from waters off the coast of Syria in January, for talks with the defence minister.

Sir Michael Fallon criticised the discussions, saying: We dont need the [Russian] bear sticking his paws in.

The Russian defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, responded by saying there was no animal in Britains zoo that can tell a bear what to do.

General Haftar has the backing of Egypt and the UAE but was shunned by Barack Obamas administration. Donald Trumps position remains unclear.

The head of US forces in Africa said there was an undeniable link between Russia and General Haftar, saying Russian troops were on the ground and trying to influence the action in the region.

Marine General Thomas Waldhauser said the US would maintain a force in Libya, where it backed local forces in the offensive to drive Isis out of its stronghold of Sirte.

Continued here:
Libyan court suspends deal struck with Italy aiming to reduce refugee boat crossings over Mediterranean Sea - The Independent