https://www.middleeastmonitor.com Latest news from the Middle East and North Africa Tue, 08 Aug 2023 11:30:00 +0000 en-GB Middle East Monitor 30 hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.2 https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/favicon.png?fit=32%2C32&quality=85&strip=all&zoom=1&ssl=1 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com 32 32 116394717 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-will-saudi-arabia-make-friday-a-working-day/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 15:45:33 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658192 In a thought-provoking op-ed published on Friday by Saudi Arabian daily newspaper Okaz, entitled "Friday is a working day," writer Mona Al-Otaibi questions whether the Kingdom's traditional Friday-Saturday weekend needs an overhaul, igniting a debate on social media. The piece highlighted the potential financial losses incurred due to Friday being an important workday in the financial world, and it has sparked discussions about whether Saudi Arabia should consider shifting its weekend to Saturday-Sunday, following in the footsteps of neighbouring UAE which made the controversial change last year, after plans were announced in 2021. At the time, the Emirati the government said it would "ensure smooth financial, trade and economic transactions with countries that follow a Saturday-Sunday weekend, facilitating stronger international […]]]> 658192 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230806-libya-urges-neighbors-ecowas-to-cooperate-for-nigers-stability/ Sun, 06 Aug 2023 14:08:45 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658178 Libyan Presidential Council President Mohamad al-Menfi highlighted the importance Saturday of cooperation between neighboring countries and an African bloc for regional stability, particularly in Niger, Anadolu reports. Menfi met Nigeria's Special Envoy Babagana Kingibe, who is the President of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in Tripoli, according to a statement from his office. Kingibe delivered a letter from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Menfi expressed satisfaction with consultations between Libya and Nigeria to maintain stability in Niger. He cited the military takeover of the elected government in Niger is not acceptable and stressed the importance of cooperation between Libya, Algeria, Chad and ECOWAS to preserve stability in Niger and the region. READ: Algeria, EU call for return […]]]> 658178 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230805-tunisia-rescues-15000-migrants-in-first-half-of-2023/ Sat, 05 Aug 2023 10:51:03 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658086 Tunisian Security Services have rescued 15,327 illegal migrants during the first half of 2023, Tunisian Interior Minister Kamal Feki announced on Friday. According to Feki, 95 per cent of the migrants hold African or sub-Saharan identities. He noted that the security services are carrying out a direct humanitarian follow-up in coordination with the relevant international organisations. In order to address the crisis, the security forces have been closely collaborating with pertinent international organisations, providing a humanitarian response and conducting fieldwork. The Tunisian minister considers what was reported by some international organisations untrue, especially a recent statement by the United Nations (UN) deputy spokesperson about the alleged treatment of African refugees and migrants on the Tunisian borders. "We are deeply concerned about […]]]> 658086 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230804-noc-eni-bp-and-sonatrach-lift-force-majeure-and-resume-exploration-in-libya-oilfields/ Fri, 04 Aug 2023 16:31:16 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=658055 Three of the biggest foreign energy companies operating in Libya have lifted force majeure and resumed exploration in the country's oilfields, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced today, local Libyan news outlet reports. According to the report, NOC said it received "official notifications from the Italian company, Eni, and the British company, British Petroleum, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and contractual obligations in the blocks awarded to them in the Ghadames Basin (A-B) and offshore Block C." "The NOC also confirmed receiving an official notification from the Algerian company, Sonatrach, regarding the lifting of force majeure and the resumption of exploration and fulfilment of contractual obligations in blocks 065 and 96/95 in the Ghadames […]]]> 658055 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230803-rights-groups-urge-independent-impartial-probe-into-greek-migrant-shipwreck/ Thu, 03 Aug 2023 12:51:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657872 Human rights groups, on Thursday, underlined the need for an "independent and impartial investigation" into a migrant shipwreck off the coast of Greece in June that left more than 80 irregular migrants dead and hundreds of others missing, Anadolu Agency reports. Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International, in a joint statement, expressed concern over conflicting accounts from the Greek coastguard and survivors and underscored "the urgent need for an effective, independent and impartial investigation." On 14 June, a 30-meter-long fishing boat, "Adriana", capsized and sank about 80 kilometres (50 miles) from Greece's southern coastal town of Pylos, with the majority of people on board from Pakistan, Syria and Libya. There were 104 survivors, with 82 bodies recovered out of 400-700 […]]]> 657872 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-un-demands-immediate-end-to-expulsion-of-migrants-from-tunisia/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 20:00:36 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657159 The UN, Tuesday, called for an immediate end to the expulsions of migrants, refugees, and asylum seekers from Tunisia to the borders with Libya and Algeria, Anadolu Agency reports. In July, hundreds of people from sub-Saharan African countries were forced from the coastal city of Sfax by Tunisian security forces, and left stranded in a desolate desert area, without food, water or shelter, according to human rights groups. "We are deeply concerned about the expulsion of migrants, refugees and asylum seekers from Tunisia to the borders with Libya and also Algeria," UN deputy spokesperson told reporters at the UN headquarters in New York. "Several have died at the border with Libya and hundreds including pregnant women and children reportedly remain […]]]> 657159 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-almost-400-pakistan-migrants-detained-by-traffickers-freed-from-warehouses-in-east-libya/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:20:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=657130 Security forces in eastern Libya have freed almost 400 Pakistani migrants who were detained in smugglers' warehouses, as human traffickers continue to run their operations in and from the country, with some reporting to brutal tactics of outright kidnap. According to the migrant rights group, Al-Abreen, at least 385 Pakistani nationals were released early yesterday from warehouses used by smugglers in the Al-Khuwair area, which is located about 5 miles south of the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk. One of the rights group's activists, Esreiwa Salah, told the Associated Press news agency that the Pakistani migrants had arrived in Libya with the intention of traveling to Europe, but were then detained by the traffickers who demanded ransoms to secure their […]]]> 657130 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230801-libya-border-guards-find-bodies-of-6-black-africans-in-desert/ Tue, 01 Aug 2023 10:38:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656959 Libyan border guards have found the bodies of six African migrants in the desert, according to the Interior Ministry. The news comes just one week after a video circulated online of a Libyan border guard giving water to black African migrants who had been dumped in the middle of the desert by Tunisian authorities. Two days earlier Libya's Interior Ministry said that the bodies of five black African migrants were recovered during a routine patrol along the border. Then in mid-July, Libyan border guards said they rescued 80 migrants left in the desert without food or water in the town of Al-Assah 150 kilometres west of Tripoli. Border guards say they were exhausted, dehydrated and left in temperatures of 40 degrees. Conditions were particularly […]]]> 656959 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230731-gambia-repatriates-127-of-its-nationals-from-tunisia/ Mon, 31 Jul 2023 19:24:38 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656822 Gambian authorities have reportedly repatriated a total of 127 Gambian nationals from Tunisia and Libya over the course of two days, AFP reports. According to the report, authorities in the Gambia repatriated 40 citizens from Tunisia in the night, from Thursday to Friday. Since Tunisian President Saied's xenophobic and racist comments in February, western African countries have been returning hundreds of their nationals. READ: Irregular arrivals up 10% in first half of 2023 The group, who reportedly returned to their home country voluntarily, left Tunisia Thursday evening and arrived in the capital, Banjul, around 2:00 am the next morning, the report added. One day earlier, the West African nation had repatriated 87 of its citizens from Libya, the same spokeswoman […]]]> 656822 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230729-asias-strategic-autonomy-how-the-new-era-could-shape-our-collective-identities/ Sat, 29 Jul 2023 11:30:40 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656406 In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat Wang Yi spoke of a "united Asia" and its need to develop a "strategic autonomy". In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the region's peoples and deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division. Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. "No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner," Wang said, as cited by Chinese state media. In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served […]]]> 656406 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230728-the-pros-and-cons-of-israel-recognising-moroccos-sovereignty-over-the-western-sahara/ Fri, 28 Jul 2023 13:00:32 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=656042 Following the Israeli recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara, Israeli voices are still raising more questions about the feasibility of this step, and whether it will be beneficial, or if it will be followed by greater harm, especially since such a step may face criticism on the international scene. This may be added to the criticisms the Occupation State is already facing regarding its behaviour in the Palestinian arena. While this step is consistent with Israel's stances towards the Palestinians, it contradicts international resolutions issued by the UN and EU, which may raise many questions related to annexation and occupation. The first Israeli benefit from this step is that it will gain broader control in Africa. There is […]]]> 656042 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-un-libya-mission-warns-of-violence-after-push-for-new-interim-government/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 14:14:26 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655656 The United Nations Libya mission warned, on Thursday, against "unilateral initiatives" to address the country's political stalemate after two legislative bodies proposed creating a new interim government as a precursor to elections, Reuters reports. The United Nations wants a clear route to elections as part of a lasting resolution of Libya's 12-year-long crisis, but opponents of the existing administration in Tripoli want to focus on replacing it before any national vote. "Unilateral actions, like similar attempts seen in the past, could inflict serious negative consequences for Libya and trigger further instability and violence," the UN mission said in a statement noting the legislative bodies' proposals. The two bodies, the eastern-based House of Representatives Parliament and the Tripoli-based High State Council, […]]]> 655656 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230727-foreign-meddling-and-competing-interests-hinder-any-solution-in-libya/ Thu, 27 Jul 2023 08:00:06 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655172 If you ask any Libyan citizen about the biggest obstacles hindering political solutions in the country, the most likely answer is: external interferences and the disputes of local de-facto politicians. Since the country fell victim to the so called "Arab Spring" in 2011, it became an open arena for all sorts of external meddling in its internal affairs – usually individual foreign countries' pursuit of their own interests, regardless of what the impact could be on Libya's stability, security and economic prosperity. Worse still, most of such interests are competing with each other at the expense of the country. The internal conflict, since erupting in 2011, has turned into a regional and international conflict in which various countries are competing […]]]> 655172 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230726-libya-border-guard-criticises-forcible-deportation-of-black-africans-from-tunisia/ Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:04:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655147 A video is circulating online showing an outraged Libyan border guard criticising the forcible deportation of black Africans from Tunisia into the desert. In the video he approaches a man and his baby who have been left in the middle of the desert, before a couple walk past and accept some water. "Shame on you Tunisia," he says. "It's 50 degrees." Un garde frontière libyen s'insurge contre les déportations des migrants subsahariens depuis la Tunisie, lâchés en plein désert sous des températures dépassant les 50°. Entre-temps, le responsable de ces déportations est fêté par l'Union Européenne comme partenaire premium. pic.twitter.com/q4sFY98Wga — Sentenza (@RealSentenza) July 24, 2023 A heatwave is currently engulfing North Africa and the Middle East, and temperatures have soared to […]]]> 655147 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230725-migrants-in-border-region-of-libya-and-tunisia/ Tue, 25 Jul 2023 15:48:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=655023 Five bodies of sub-Saharan migrants have been recovered in a desolate area near the border between Libya and Tunisia, Libya's Interior Ministry said in a statement on Monday, Reuters reports. According to the report, the Ministry said the bodies were found during patrols near the border areas with Tunisia between Dahra and Tawilat Al-Rutba. Dozens of sub-Saharan Africans are stranded near the Libyan border and say that the Tunisian authorities removed them to this border area from the city of Sfax earlier this month. The Tunisian government then moved them to shelters in two towns, the report added. The rights groups said that dozens are still stuck there in very difficult conditions, left thirsty and hungry in an unprecedented heat […]]]> 655023 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-migrants-at-greater-risk-of-abuse-after-ill-judged-eu-tunisia-deal-experts-warn/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 18:30:24 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654843 In mid-July, the EU finalised a much-anticipated agreement with Tunisia to cooperate on curbing a surge in migration flows to Europe's Mediterranean shores, but international law experts and humanitarian groups warn that the €1 billion ($1.11 billion) deal could lead to severe rights violations instead of helping solve complex issues. Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) – signed after a crucial meeting between EU Commission head, Ursula von der Leyen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Tunisian President Kais Saied – Brussels agreed to give Tunis financial and technical support to "deter" Europe-bound migration, which has been increasingly originating from Tunisian shores. According to the few details made public, the deal aims to prevent migrants […]]]> 654843 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230724-italy-offers-aid-to-libya-to-limit-illegal-migration-to-europe/ Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:10:25 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654879 Italy announced aid to Libya and Niger to establish projects aimed at "limiting the arrival of illegal migrants to Italian shores", Reuters reports. According to the report, Head of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohammed Al-Menfi, and head of the Government of National Unity (GNU), Abdulhamid Al-Dbeibah, were on a scheduled visit to Italy on Saturday to attend the International Conference on Development and Migration, organised by Italian Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani. The FM announced the allocation of 8.5 million Euros ($9.5 million) to three projects in Libya and 7.5 million Euros ($8.3 million) to three projects in Niger, the report added. A statement by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the aid will help train local authorities in improving […]]]> 654879 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-italy-migration-conference-aims-to-stem-flows-by-helping-africa/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 17:52:18 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654398 Mediterranean and Middle East countries will meet in Rome on Sunday to boost efforts to stem illegal migration flows, with Italy saying the aim is to help countries in Africa in order to reduce the impetus for migrants to reach Europe, Reuters reports. The meeting will focus on building partnership for projects in sectors including agriculture, infrastructure and health, an Italian government statement said on Friday. "The conference aims to govern the migration phenomenon, combat human trafficking and promote economic development according to a new model of cooperation between states," the statement said. Planned participants include Tunisia, Turkiye, Libya, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates, along with the European Union and the IMF, Italian officials told Reuters. However France, a […]]]> 654398 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230721-turkiye-working-against-end-of-black-sea-grain-deal-and-resulting-fallout-president/ Fri, 21 Jul 2023 13:40:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654342 Ending the Black Sea grain deal as announced this week would hit hard in numerous ways, warned Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, adding that Turkiye is already working to prevent this, Anadolu Agency reports. "The termination of the Black Sea grain initiative will have a range of (harmful) effects, ranging from raising global food prices, in some regions to famine and then new waves of migration. We do not hesitate to take the initiative to prevent this," Erdogan told reporters on Thursday on the presidential plane returning from a three-nation Gulf tour. "I believe that by discussing the issue in detail with (Russian President Vladimir) Putin, we will ensure the continuation of this humanitarian movement," he added, hinting at Turkiye's […]]]> 654342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-un-experts-urge-tunisia-to-stop-forcible-expulsion-of-black-african-migrants/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:53:27 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=654082 UN experts have this week raised concern about Tunisia's allegedly discriminatory treatment of sub-Saharan migrants, and urged the authorities to take urgent measures to stop collective expulsions and protect the human rights of all migrants. "Collective expulsions are prohibited under international law," they said. "Deporting migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers without conducting an individual and objective risk assessment of their exposure to human rights violations upon return amounts to refoulement, prohibited under international human rights law." The experts contacted the Tunisian Government in March, expressing concern at reports of racist treatment of sub-Saharan migrants and collective expulsions targeting sub-Saharan migrants, as well as of violence and racist hate speech by officials and law enforcement. "We call on the authorities to immediately […]]]> 654082 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230720-could-oil-revenue-sharing-trigger-another-war-in-libya/ Thu, 20 Jul 2023 09:00:03 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653657 Oil has always been at the heart of the Libyan crisis ever since it erupted in 2011, and it remains to be a decisive factor in any long-term agreement for the troubled country. Revenue from oil is Libya's main source of income, where almost every citizen gets cash from the government in one way or another. Heavy government subsidies for almost every commodity have all but dried up since the toppling of the Gaddafi government in 2011, but oil money is still the source of public sector salaries and fuel subsidies benefitting almost all Libyans. According to official figures, fuel subsidies in the first five months of 2022 amounted to some $700 million. Control over the flow of money and […]]]> 653657 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230719-hrw-eu-should-suspend-migration-funding-for-tunisia-until-human-rights-assessment/ Wed, 19 Jul 2023 12:11:05 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=653659 Human Rights Watch has said that the EU should suspend migration control funding to Tunisian security forces until a human rights impact assessment has been carried out. In July, Tunisian police and military rounded up black Africans in the country and dumped them on the border with Libya and Algeria. Two bodies were recovered and videos of people with broken ankles, begging for food and water, circulated online. HRW documented abuses including beatings and the use of excessive force, theft of belongings and money and in some cases torture. Despite this, the EU has offered Tunisia an aid package including over €100 million ($112.2 million) if Tunisia agrees to help stop migrant boats crossing the Mediterranean and heading for Europe and facilitate the […]]]> 653659 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230717-libya-border-guards-rescue-migrants-left-in-desert-by-tunisia/ Mon, 17 Jul 2023 10:32:40 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652620 Libyan border guards say they have rescued migrants left in the desert without food or water, AFP reported over the weekend. Roughly 80 people were found in the town of Al-Assah, some 150 kilometres west of Tripoli, and were exhausted and dehydrated in temperatures of 40 degrees. AFP said that the Libyan border agents gave them water and took them to a shelter. The news comes after a Human Rights Watch (HRW) report revealed that Tunisian security forces have been forcibly expelling several hundred black African migrants and asylum seekers since the start of July from Sfax to a militarised border zone between Tunisia and Libya. Sfax is a Tunisian port town close to the island of Lampadusa in Italy and hundreds of people have […]]]> 652620 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230716-libyas-sharara-oilfield-resumes-production-after-release-of-ex-minister/ Sun, 16 Jul 2023 11:02:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652526 Libya said Sunday that production from two oil fields south of the country has resumed after the release of a former finance minister, reports Anadolu Agency. Production at El-Sharara and El-Feel oil fields was shut on Thursday following the detention of former Finance Minister Faraj Boumtari. Local tribesmen have demanded Boumtari's release to allow production from the two oilfields to resume. In a statement, the Libyan Oil Ministry confirmed that production from the two oilfields has resumed. Local tribesmen said that the move came after Bumatari, who hails from the al-Zawi tribe in southeastern Libya, walked free Saturday afternoon from detention in Tripoli. READ: There will be war if oil revenues are not split fairly in Libya El-Sharara oilfield produces […]]]> 652526 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-production-shuts-down-at-libya-el-feel-sharara-and-108-oilfields-tribal-leader-oil-engineers/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 14:24:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652353 Production at Libya's El Feel, Sharara and 108 oilfields was shut on Thursday in a protest against the abduction of a former finance minister, a tribal leader told Reuters on Thursday. The shutdown was confirmed by oil engineers and a protester, Reuters reports. It is a protest by the Al-Zawi tribe against the kidnapping of Faraj Bumatari, a former finance minister, according to the tribal leader. The protesters released a video statement from the 108 oilfields saying, while they closed a valve: "We affirm the continuation of the oil closures, and we may escalate the situation to more than that if our son, Faraj Bumatari, is not released." No protesters have entered the Sharara oilfield, so far, two engineers working in the field told Reuters on Thursday. […]]]> 652353 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230714-sudan-welcomes-outcomes-of-egypt-summit/ Fri, 14 Jul 2023 12:23:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652329 The governing Transitional Sovereign Council (TSC) in Sudan yesterday welcomed the outcomes of the summit held by its neighbours in Egypt, Anadolu news agency reported. The TSC stressed in a statement that "the government of Sudan is keen to work with all parties seeking to stop the war and restore security and tranquillity." It also confirmed that the Sudanese Armed Forces are ready to immediately stop military operations, if the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias commit to stop attacking homes, neighbourhoods, civilian objects, government facilities, blocking roads and looting. This commitment includes initiating a political dialogue as soon as the hostilities cease, leading to the establishment of a civilian-led government to guide the nation through a transitional period, culminating in elections […]]]> 652329 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230713-summit-of-neighbours-of-conflict-torn-sudan-kicks-off-in-cairo/ Thu, 13 Jul 2023 12:33:37 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=652100 A summit of the neighbours of conflict-torn Sudan's began in Egypt's capital, Cairo, on Thursday to help settle the ongoing Sudanese crisis that erupted in mid-April, Anadolu Agency reports. At the opening session, Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, said the summit is being held at a "historic moment", urging the halt of all military operations in Sudan, according to Egyptian daily, Youm7. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said "top officials" are taking part in the summit, but did not specify their names or the number of countries attending. Sudanese diplomatic sources, however, told Anadolu that the summit is being attended by Al-Sisi, Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, and Salva Kiir, the President of South Sudan. READ: UK sanctions businesses funding war in […]]]> 652100 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230712-libya-joins-italy-to-work-against-irregular-migration/ Wed, 12 Jul 2023 09:42:04 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651618 The head of the Libyan National Unity Government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, stressed yesterday the need to unite efforts between his country and Italy to combat irregular migration. Dbeibeh made his comment during a meeting with the Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Alberini. "There are deep relations between the two countries," said Dbeibeh. "We need to activate the results of my recent visit to Rome regarding the convening of the Italian-Libyan Economic Forum and to unify efforts to combat irregular migration." Dbeibeh visited Italy on 7 June where he met Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, with whom he discussed irregular migration from Libya towards Europe. Alberini explained that the Italian Embassy is making efforts to increase the number of visas and contribute […]]]> 651618 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-france-uk-campaign-to-oust-gaddafi-from-libya-a-disaster-says-spy-chief/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 19:14:19 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651571 The French-inspired campaign with Britain to overthrow Colonel Gaddafi in 2011 was a disastrous error, according to France's spy chief in Libya at the time, the Times reports. According to the report, the story of the secret operations to bring down the Libyan dictator has been told by Jean-Francois Lhuillier, a former Tripoli station chief of the Directorate General for External Security (DGSE). His book has angered the Secret Service, where he worked for 27 years. Lhuillier, 69, a Lieutenant-Colonel at his retirement in 2014, has also embarrassed the DGSE by revealing the dysfunctions of an Agency that has enjoyed fame with The Bureau, the television series about its operatives, the report added. The book called "The Tripoli Man: Memoirs of […]]]> 651571 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-tunisia-moves-hundreds-of-migrants-from-desolate-border-area/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 16:22:29 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651558 Tunisia has moved hundreds of migrants to shelters in two towns, a local rights group said on Tuesday, after criticism of conditions in a desolate Sahara military area on the border with Libya, where the government transferred them last week, Reuters reports. Struggling with high numbers of mainly sub-Saharan African migrants seeking to leave the North African country for Europe, President Kais Saied has responded with measures local and international rights groups say are endangering lives. "Hundreds of people who were on the Libyan border were transferred finally to shelter centres in Medenine and Tataouine towns after difficult times they spent there in the intense heat", Ramadan Ben Omar, an official at the non-governmental Tunisian Forum for Economic and Social […]]]> 651558 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-new-probes-contradicts-greek-coastguard-account-migrant-tragedy/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:40:53 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651416 A new investigation by the Guardian and others has found that attempts by the Greek coastguard in June to tow a boat carrying roughly 750 refugees which capsized leaving only 104 survivors may have caused the vessel to sink. Most of the passengers were from Egypt, Syria, Palestine and Pakistan. Nine of the survivors have been arrested on charges of involuntary manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and migrant smuggling and have denied the charges. On 14 June the fishing trawler left Egypt, picked up passengers in Libya, and then tried to sail to Italy before sinking off the coast of Greece. At the end of June, survivors told Greek judicial officials that the coastguard made a disastrous attempt to tow the overloaded trawler and one even shouted at the coastguard to […]]]> 651416 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-israeli-american-charged-with-trying-to-bypass-iran-sanctions-after-accusing-biden-of-corruption/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:38:39 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651408 The head of a US think tank is currently on the run after being charged with being an agent of China and attempting to broker the sale of weapons and Iranian oil, Manhattan prosecutors announced yesterday. Gal Luft, a citizen of the US and Israel, is accused of having "agreed to covertly recruit and pay" a former high-ranking US government official in 2016, without registering as a foreign agent as required by law, to publicly support certain Chinese policies, federal prosecutors say. "As alleged, the defendant engaged in multiple schemes to evade sanctions and laws intended to protect our national security," Christie Curtis, FBI acting assistant director in charge, said in the press release. "The FBI is determined to defend […]]]> 651408 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230711-calls-to-rescue-migrants-after-tunisia-transfers-them-to-libya-algeria-borders/ Tue, 11 Jul 2023 10:37:30 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651329 A human rights organisation yesterday called on the Tunisian government to intervene urgently to help dozens of migrants who were expelled from the city of Sfax, in the southeast of the country, and transferred to border areas with Libya and Algeria. In a statement, the Bayti organisation said human rights defenders, non-governmental organisations and government institutions must "coordinate efforts and pool resources" to take care of immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. The organisation continued: "For days, we have been witnessing in the Sfax region, where there are migrants who were abandoned and are living under real threat and pursuit that reached the point of their expulsion and deportation to the outskirts of the desert." Last week, Sfax witnessed bloody clashes between immigrants […]]]> 651329 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230710-dbeibeh-italy-to-lift-air-embargo-on-libya/ Mon, 10 Jul 2023 13:01:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=651037 Italy will lift its air embargo on Libya in September, the head of the Tripoli-based government Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh said yesterday, Anadolu news agency reported. "The Italian government informed us of its decision to lift its air embargo that was imposed on Libya ten years ago," Dbeibeh said in a statement. "Flights will resume next September," he added. There was no comment from the Italian authorities on Dbeibeh's statements. Last month, Dbeibeh held talks in Rome with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on lifting Rome's air embargo on the country's civil aviation. The European Commission banned flights from Libya in 2014 amid chaos and conflict in the country. Since then, successive Libyan governments have attempted to lift the European embargo, but the […]]]> 651037 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230709-boat-sinking-off-tunisia-leaves-one-dead-at-least-10-migrants-missing/ Sun, 09 Jul 2023 12:33:58 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650656 At least 10 Tunisian migrants were missing and one died after their boat sank off Tunisia as they tried to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, a judicial official said on Sunday, reports Reuters. Tunisia is facing an unprecedented migration crisis and has replaced Libya as a main departure point for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa and the Middle East in the hope of a better life in Europe. The latest tragedy raises the number of dead and missing off the North African country's coasts to more than 600 in the first half of 2023, far more than in any previous year, according to figures compiled by Reuters. Tunisia's coastguard rescued 11 people from the boat, which set off from the […]]]> 650656 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230709-pope-francis-migrant-deaths-at-sea-a-shame/ Sun, 09 Jul 2023 12:31:56 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650635 Pope Francis said on Saturday that it was a "shame" that irregular migrants trying to reach Europe for a safe and better life were dying at sea, reports Anadolu Agency. In a letter to the archbishopric of the Italian island of Lampedusa, Francis said tragedy had befallen migrants many times recently in the Mediterranean Sea. "In these days when we are witnessing the repetition of serious tragedies in the Mediterranean, we are shaken by the silent massacres in front of which we still remain helpless and astonished," said the letter, marking the 10th anniversary of the pontiff's first visit to the island, a frequent destination for migrants using the Central Mediterranean route from North Africa. READ: Rights group urges Tunisia […]]]> 650635 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230707-rights-group-urges-tunisia-to-halt-collective-expulsion-of-african-migrants/ Fri, 07 Jul 2023 13:50:10 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650416 Tunisia should halt collective expulsions of sub-Saharan African migrants and urgently enable access to humanitarian services for those the government sent to a dangerous area of the Tunisia-Libya border, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Thursday, Reuters reports. Tunisia has removed hundreds of migrants to a desolate area along the border, a Tunisian rights group and a lawmaker said on Wednesday, with witnesses reporting dozens more put on outbound trains following days of violence. Disturbances between migrants and residents went on for a week in the port of Sfax, and one Tunisian was killed. Residents complained of disorderly behaviour by migrants and migrants complained of racist harassment. Thousands of undocumented migrants have flocked to Sfax in recent months with the goal of setting […]]]> 650416 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230706-families-of-missing-in-greece-migrant-boat-disaster-plead-for-recovery-of-bodies/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 21:00:11 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650201 Since Matloob Hussain from Pakistan went missing during a deadly shipwreck off Greece last month, his brother, Adil, has left the door of his Athens home open in the hope he appears. It will stay open until his body is found. Matloob, 43, is among hundreds of migrants from Pakistan, Syria and Egypt who are presumed dead after their overcrowded fishing trawler, that set sail from Libya for Italy, sank off the coast of Pylos in international waters on 14 June. A total of 104 men were rescued and 82 bodies were found. But with survivor accounts suggesting as many as 750 people were on board, several families are calling on authorities to raise the wreck from the seabed and […]]]> 650201 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230706-eu-lawmakers-urge-intl-probe-into-deadly-greek-migrant-shipwreck/ Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:14:50 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650160 EU lawmakers today urged Greece and the European Commission to launch an international and independent probe into last month's deadly migrant boat shipwreck off the coast of Greece. The European Parliament's Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs held a debate dedicated to the tragedy believed to have claimed hundreds of lives. The vessel was carrying migrants mainly from Pakistan, Egypt and Syria. The committee called upon "the Greek authorities and the [European] Commission to establish, as a matter of urgency, an independent and transparent international investigation into the incident," said German EU lawmaker Birgit Sippel, chair of the session. The European Parliament demands a probe into the actions of the Greek authorities and the EU's Border and Coast Guard Agency […]]]> 650160 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230705-tunisia-removes-hundreds-of-migrants-to-desert-border-region-rights-group-lawmaker/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 16:10:20 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=650033 Tunisia has removed hundreds of sub-Saharan African migrants to a desolate area along the border with Libya, a local rights group and a lawmaker said on Wednesday, with witnesses reporting dozens more put on outbound trains following days of violence, Reuters reports. Disturbances between migrants and residents went on for a week in the port city of Sfax, and one Tunisian was killed, police said. Residents complained of disorderly behaviour by migrants, while migrants complained of racist harassment. Thousands of undocumented African migrants have flocked to Sfax in recent months with the goal of setting off for Europe in boats run by human traffickers, amounting to an unprecedented migration crisis for the North African country. Ramadan Ben Omar at the Tunisian Forum […]]]> 650033 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230705-pakistan-top-judge-calls-migrant-boat-sinking-off-greece-human-rights-issue/ Wed, 05 Jul 2023 12:53:31 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649877 Pakistan's top judge called last month's sinking of a migrant boat off Greece, in which hundreds of Pakistanis reportedly died, a "human rights issue", Anadolu Agency reports. Hearing a case on the trafficking of children on Wednesday, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Umar Ata Bandial, said human traffickers are getting millions of rupees, while innocent and poor people are tricked into going abroad on the pretext of better jobs. "Citizens are duped by human traffickers and pay millions of rupees," the local daily, Dawn, quoted the top judge as saying. He added that even women and children become victims of human smuggling. The Chief Justice also directed the provincial authorities to submit a report regarding actions taken to curb human smuggling […]]]> 649877 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230704-saudi-russia-extend-oil-cuts-sending-prices-higher/ Tue, 04 Jul 2023 11:29:34 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649586 Saudi Arabia and Russia, the world's biggest oil exporters, yesterday deepened oil cuts, sending prices higher despite concerns over a global economic slowdown and possible further interest rate increases from the US Federal Reserve, Reuters reported. OPEC+, which groups the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and allies led by Russia, cut supply to boost prices in November last year due to reduced Chinese demand and rising US supply but so far has failed to raise prices from a range of $70-$80 a barrel. Saudi Arabia said it would extend its voluntary oil output cut of one million barrels per day (bpd) for another month to include August, adding that the cut could be extended beyond that month. Shortly after the Saudi […]]]> 649586 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230704-haftar-there-will-be-war-if-oil-revenues-are-not-split-fairly-in-libya/ Tue, 04 Jul 2023 09:44:00 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649568 Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strong man of eastern Libya, yesterday confirmed that his forces will be given a deadline, no later than the end of August, for the fair distribution of the oil revenues in Libya. Osama Hammad, the head of the parallel government in eastern Libya, who complained about the lack of a "fair" distribution of oil revenues, threatened to prevent the export of fuel, calling for seizing the revenues managed by the rival authorities in the west. Oil revenues, the main source of income in Libya, are managed by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Central Bank of Libya and are based in the capital, Tripoli, where the UN-recognised government led by Abdel Hamid Al-Dbeibeh is locate. Haftar said in a televised speech […]]]> 649568 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230703-hannibal-gaddafi-moved-to-hospital-in-critical-condition-in-lebanon-tv/ Mon, 03 Jul 2023 14:16:13 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=649015 Hannibal Gaddafi, son of the late Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi, has been moved from a Lebanese prison to hospital in "critical condition", Dubai-based Al-Hadath TV reported on Sunday, Reuters reports. Gaddafi went on hunger strike last month in protest at his incarceration without trial since 2015. Citing unidentified sources, Al-Hadath said he had suffered a sharp drop in his blood sugar level. Gaddafi has been charged in Lebanon with concealing information about the fate of Imam Musa Al-Sadr, a Lebanese Shia Muslim cleric who disappeared while on a trip to Libya in 1978. Muammar Gaddafi was captured and killed by rebels in 2011. READ: Son of Libya Gaddafi in Lebanon hospital after going on hunger strike]]> 649015 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230702-artist-alessandra-ferrini-explores-the-complex-relationship-between-libya-and-italy/ Sun, 02 Jul 2023 08:00:57 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648288 A decade ago, artist Alessandra Ferrini sat in front of her laptop and watched for the first time the 1980 movie Lion of the Desert. At the time she was an Italian student who just moved to London, and she shared her flat with a Libyan housemate who had introduced the movie to her. Lion of the Desert is an epic historical war film about the Second Italo-Senussi War, starring Anthony Quinn as Libyan tribal leader Omar Al-Mukhtar, a Bedouin leader fighting the Royal Italian Army, and Oliver Reed as Italian General Rodolfo Graziani, who defeated Mukhtar. Alessandra was particularly impressed by the scene when Al-Mukhtar ends up being hanged in public. This was a gesture done by the Italians […]]]> 648288 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230630-survivors-of-greece-boat-disaster-say-coastguard-rope-toppled-boat/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 15:05:18 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648342 Survivors of a boat disaster that likely killed hundreds of migrants near Greece have given accounts of traffickers in North Africa cramming them into a clapped-out fishing trawler. They recounted hellish conditions above and below deck, with no food or water. Some also said the tragic end, when it came, was precipitated by the actions of the Greek coastguard. They have told judicial authorities of a doomed attempt to tow the overloaded trawler that caused the vessel to capsize in the early hours of 14 June. A disastrous coastguard towing attempt was recounted in six of the nine statements from survivors submitted to Greek judicial officials investigating the causes of the tragedy, according to evidence seen by Reuters. One Syrian […]]]> 648342 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230630-libya-tension-rises-amid-oil-threats-drone-strike/ Fri, 30 Jun 2023 14:28:57 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=648334 Tension between the rival governments in Libya is on the rise amid new disputes over oil revenues and a drone strike on Wagner facilities Friday, Energy Voice reports. According to the report, the eastern House of Representatives (HoR) discussed actions on the oil industry this week. The head of HoR, Osama Hammad, said the National Oil Corporation had sided with the Government of National Unity (GNU), based in Tripoli. Hammad said there were plans for a "judicial guard" to halt exports and seize $16 billion in revenue. Libya Oil and Gas Minister, Mohamed Oun, expressed his concerns over the threats. Libyan oil production collapsed in 2020 because of blockades, casting a shadow over its finances. READ: Rival Libya administration threatens to […]]]> 648334 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230629-fascist-italys-forgotten-concentration-camps-in-libya/ Thu, 29 Jun 2023 09:33:12 +0000 , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647971 On 30 August 2008, Italy and Libya signed their Treaty of Friendship, Cooperation and Partnership, ending their awkward past of feuding and diplomatic tensions over Italy's colonisation of Libya from 1911 to 1943. Libya was seeking compensation, recognition of suffering of its people and, above all, an apology. Rome, as is the case with all former colonial powers, tried for years to close the matter without offering anything. The treaty, a success for Libya, might have ended the political and diplomatic struggle over the colonial past, but it will not wipe it out from history and people's memories. The idea of invading Libya came during the colonial rush that saw major colonial powers like France, United Kingdom and others divide […]]]> 647971 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230628-rising-death-toll-unsettling-alliances-italys-alarming-response-to-migration-crisis/ Wed, 28 Jun 2023 07:30:26 +0000 , Middle East Monitor , Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647306 2023 has been the deadliest year for migrants crossing the Mediterranean since 2017. In 2022, more than half of those that took on the world's most treacherous migration route departed from Libya, a country that has been embroiled in conflict and civil war for nearly a decade, and about a third from Tunisia. By June 2023, Tunisia had overtaken Libya as the gateway for the highest number of migrants heading for Italy, which has served as a primary destination for those trying to reach Europe in search of a better life. Tunisia's worsening economic, political and social crisis, as well as the recent crackdown on sub-Saharan Africans in the country under President Kais Saied and the rise of anti-Black rhetoric […]]]> 647306 https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230626-rival-libya-administration-threatens-to-block-oil-exports/ Mon, 26 Jun 2023 18:56:11 +0000 Middle East Monitor https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/?p=647554 The head of Libya's east-based administration threatened, Saturday, to block oil and gas exports from territory under its control, claiming the UN-recognised government in Tripoli was wasting energy revenues, Reuters reports. According to the report, the head of Libya's east-based administration, Oussama Hamad, said in a statement that he had "frozen" 2022 oil revenues "equivalent to more than 130 billion dinars (around $27 billion)", as a first step. The east-based government, which does not recognise the authority of the Government of National Unity based in Tripoli, is ready for more steps, including an oil blockade, and would seek a legal ruling, Hamad said. "We are ready to raise the red flag, stop … the export of oil and gas and declare force majeure," said Hamad, who was […]]]> 647554