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Much effort is being invested in the EUs military intervention in international waters off the coast of Libyaaimed atbreaking the business model of human trafficking by smugglers

Minister Carmelo Abela (left) with the EU's High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, and other officials at the conference

Unfortunately thereremainsa great level of instability in Libya, since the Government of National Accord is still not completely exercising its effective authority, he said. Aside from being an essential pre-condition for the welfare of the Libyan population and the resurgence of the Libyan economy, stability in Libya is also fundamental for its neighbours security.

The conference was organised in Malta by the Maltese Presidencyof the Council of the EU.

Abelasaid thatthe EU had acted with determination to counter the instability in its proximity by engaging with affected countries by means of CSDP missions.

At the same timethe EUs mechanism for peacekeeping also included a raft of measures whereby it analysed its crisis response tools,and constantly refined and updated them.

With respect to Libya, CSDP action is conducted by an EU Border Assistance Mission to Libya (EUBAM Libya),in which Maltahasparticipated.

Currently,much effort is also being invested in the EUs military intervention in international waters off the coast of Libyaaimed atbreaking the business model of human trafficking by smugglers, known as EUNAVFOR MED- Operation Sophia, in which Malta actively participates.

The CSDPcan act to provide direct benefits to crisis areas as well as visibility for the EU at the external level, especially in its immediate neighbourhood, Abela said. The CSDPprovisions enable the Union to take a leading role in peacekeeping operations, in conflict prevention and in the strengthening of international security.

The minister alsoreferredtotheEU Global Strategy set out in 2016,aimed at further stimulating the CSDPprocess and exploiting innovative approaches to countering crises and threats.

Work was still ongoing in terms of re-assessing internal mechanisms to ensure these are improved and strengthened, while also trying to deepen relations with existing partners such as the UN and NATO to act together with more effect in crisis areas where they are present.

I am confident that,if the EU continues its goodwork internally and with othersit will consolidate its strengthsand manage to go far towards more stability and peace, Abela said.

The list of speakers at the conference included the EUs High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, FedericaMogherini.

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Stability in Libya crucial for neighbours' security - Malta Today - MaltaToday

Oil traded near $49 a barrel as rigs targeting crude in the U.S. rose for a fifteenth week and output from Libya rebounded.

Futuresin New York were little changed after gaining 0.7 percent Friday. The number of oil rigs operating in U.S. fields advanced to the most since April 2015, according to Baker Hughes Inc. Libyas crude productionrebounded to more than 700,000 barrels a day as the OPEC members biggest oil field and another deposit in its western region resumed pumping after a halt.

Oil has fallen the past two weeks amid concern growing U.S. output will offset efforts by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies to trim a global glut. American production increased to the most since August 2015 and Saudi Arabias Energy Minister Khalid Al-Falih has acknowledged that the first quarter of OPEC-led curbs failed to bring stockpiles below the five-year average.

The rising U.S. rig count will continue to keep a lid on prices until we see inventories come down, said Gary Burton, a Melbourne-based analyst with IG Ltd.The price has flat-lined around this $49 mark and theres little volatility to drive the price from there.

West Texas Intermediate for June delivery traded at $49.25 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange, down 8 cents at 4:10 p.m. in Sydney. Total volume traded was about 53 percent below the 100-day average. The contract on Friday increased 36 cents to $49.33.

Brent for July settlement lost 13 cents, or 0.3 percent, to $51.92 a barrel on the London-based ICE Futures Europe exchange. The global benchmark crude traded at a premium of $2.36 to July WTI. Brent for June delivery expired Friday after adding 29 cents to $51.73.

See also: Oil price optimism wears off as Texas wildcatters drill on

U.S. producers boosted the number of rigs drilling for oil by 9 to 697 machines, according to a report from Baker Hughes on Friday. Libyas Sharara field is currently producing 216,400 barrels a day, while the El Feel, or Elephant, deposit is pumping 26,500 and is expected to boost output further, Jadalla Alaokali, a board member at the National Oil Corp., said Sunday.

Oil-market news:

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Oil Steady as U.S. Drillers Boost Rigs and Libya Expands Output - Bloomberg

The Libya Observer

Health calamity could descend on Libya any minute, National Vaccination Program CEO says The Libya Observer The CEO of the Libyan National Vaccination Program, Al-Sadiq Al-Bahilil, has warned of the consequences that could take place due to the shortage of children's vaccines across the country. "I blame the Central Bank of Libya for such a crisis in the ...

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Health calamity could descend on Libya any minute, National Vaccination Program CEO says - The Libya Observer

News Roundup - Sun, Apr 30, 2017 The Libya Observer Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) will face Societe Generale bank at the British Supreme Court in London on Tuesday. The court is going to look at the charges against the French investment bank that said it paid 58.5 billion dollars in bribery. LIA is ...

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News Roundup - Sun, Apr 30, 2017 - The Libya Observer

Khartoum - The United Nations envoy to Libya, Martin Kobler, will visit Khartoum on Sunday for talks on the conflict in the North African country, the Sudanese foreign ministry said.

Kobler, on his first visit to Sudan, is expected to meet Sudanese Foreign Minister Ibrahim Ghandour and other senior officials in Khartoum.

"He will discuss efforts made by Arab League and African Union to solve the Libyan crisis," the foreign ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

Ghandour will also attend a May 8 conference in Nigeria drawing Libya's neighbours, it said.

Libya has fallen into crisis since the 2011 killing of longtime strongman Moammar Gadddafi, with dozens of armed factions battling for control of the oil-rich country.

During the rebellion against Gaddafi, Khartoum had acknowledged its support to rebels fighting his forces.

Sudan recognises Libya's unity government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, which was born of a UN-brokered deal signed in late 2015.

The unity government has, however, struggled to assert its authority nationwide since taking office in Tripoli in March last year.

Libyan military strongman Khalifa Haftar has opposed Sarraj's government and is backing a rival government based in Libya's east.

But for the past two years his main priority has been battling jihadists in second city Benghazi.

Khartoum has tense relations with Haftar, often alleging that many Sudanese rebels from war-torn Darfur have joined him and were fighting for him in Libya.

Sudanese media has also regularly reported deaths of some Sudanese youths in Libya while fighting for the jihadist Islamic State group.

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UN envoy to Libya to visit Sudan for peace talks - News24