21 Sept 2018 - NPWJ News Digest on Libya

Articles

Nine dead as fresh clashes erupt near Libya capital
Daily Monitor, 21 Sep 2018

Nine people including two civilians were killed near the Libyan capital on Thursday in fresh fighting between rival armed groups, an official said. Thirteen others, including four civilians, were wounded in the violence on Tripoli's southern outskirts, according to preliminary assessments, said emergency services spokesman Osama Ali. Despite a ceasefire deal reached on September 4, renewed fighting erupted this week, especially in the Salaheddin neighbourhood and on the route to Tripoli International Airport, which was destroyed in 2014.

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IOM: 19,225 people displaced since start of conflict in Tripoli
Libya Observer, 20 Sep 2018

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed that the number of displaced since the outset of Tripoli's clashes on August 26 is estimated at 3,845 families.

On its Facebook page Tuesday, the IOM clarified that the hostilities caused the displacement of about 19,225 people, in which the majority were from the affected areas south of Tripoli.

The IOM confirmed that 120 families have gathered temporarily in six schools in Tripoli, adding that most of the displaced families are staying with relatives in private homes in the capital and the surrounding areas.

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Libya keeps coast guards rejected by the EU
EU Monitor, 20 Sep 2018

Libyans who were refused EU coast guard training are returning to work at the Libyan coast guard, for up to $150 per month, amid reports some are guilty of people-trafficking and belong to militias. The European Union has so far trained 237 Libyan coast guard officers as part of efforts to stop people from reaching Italy by boat. Qassim Ayoub, spokesperson for Libya's coast guard, told EUobserver on Tuesday (19 September) that the EU has turned down some Schengen-visa requests and rejected other applicants for unknown reasons.

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Libya imposes fee on hard currency transactions to bridge black market gap
Reuters, 19 Sep 2018

Libya’s internationally recognized government on Wednesday imposed a fee of 183 percent on any hard currency transactions, effectively devaluing the Libyan dinar to bridge the gap to the dominating black market. If implemented in a country in chaos where the central bank struggles to impose its will, the move devalues the official rate of the dinar to the dollar for such deals to around 3.9 from 1.4, Libya’s Eqtisidiya business TV channel said. Its impact was unclear. The black market rate stands at around 6, and the fee covers only part of the market. Family allowances will be excluded as well as possibly imports of fuel and other subsidized goods.

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UN envoy to Libya vows to list Tripoli ceasefire violators for UN sanctions
Libya Observer, 19 Sep 2018

The UN envoy to Libya, Ghassan Salame, said he was going to ask the Security Council to amend the Action Plan in Libya. Salame told 218 TV Channel that he will be straightforward in his briefing at the UN Security Council, adding that he will tell the country members of the hindrances and violators. “There is only one plan for Libya. The one approved by the UN Security Council.” Salame added. “UNSMIL will go to Rome Conference if it was invited as scheduled in November.” He indicated, saying they cannot prevent any member country from proposing a solution to end Libya’s crisis.

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Libya authorities close Tripoli's only airport over safety
News 24, 18 Sep 2018

Libyan authorities have closed the capital Tripoli's only functioning airport, diverting traffic to another one at the nearby militia-controlled city of Misrata. The Monday move came after the UN-backed Tripoli government handed control of the facility from one militia to another, prompting the Transport Ministry to order its closure on security concerns.

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