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The American Chamber of Commerce in Libya (AmCham Libya) informed Libya Herald that it hosted meetings during the recent visit of U.S. Embassy Commercial and Economic Officer, David Morrison. Morrison was in Tripoli with other Embassy representatives for meetings as well as a July 4 Independence Day celebration, which was the first time the Embassy hosted the celebration in Libya in 11 years.

AmCham member sponsors played a key role in the celebration. Sponsors included Caterpillar, ConocoPhillips, GardaWorld Federal Services, Halliburton, Hill International, MSD (Merck, Sharp & Dohme), Valmont and Visa.

Medical sector On 3 July Morrison met with AmCham and Rami Elhalwagy, MSD Alliance Lead for Libya, Sudan and Yemen. Elhalwagy gave an update on MSDs important activities in Libya regarding its vaccines and oncology medicines and the group discussed how the Embassy and AmCham can support MSD in its business activities in Libya.

Localising healthcare in Libya by importing MSD medicines AmCham President Debbie Hirst said, MSD provides some world class products, including oncology drugs that have previously not been available in Libya. The Libyan government has recognized that by procuring these medicines, patients that previously needed treatment outside of Libya, can now receive it in country. Patients are currently being repatriated in order to receive their treatment here. We were happy to get an update from MSD about the Libyan budgeting approval process so that we can support them in these life-saving activities.

Meeting Tripoli Chamber of Commerce Morrison also met a high-level delegation of officers and members from Tripoli Chamber of Commerce. Tripoli Chamber is one of AmChams key partners in sending delegates to trade fairs in the U.S. This meeting was an opportunity to reflect on the trade fair programme and discuss other ways to enhance cooperation between U.S. and Libyan businesses.

AmCham facilitating business visas for U.S. trade fairs and meetings Ahmed Ghazali, AmCham Vice President said The AmCham visa interview support programme has been instrumental in allowing more participation by Libyan businesspeople at U.S. trade fairs and other business meetings. The first step to developing stronger ties to U.S. companies is by being able to meet them, and we are grateful that the U.S. Embassy shares our vision of supporting this kind of engagement.

Meeting the Libyan Council for Oil, Gas and Renewable Energies The U.S. Embassy Commercial and Economic Officer was also able to meet a group from the Libyan Council for Oil, Gas and Renewable Energies (LCOGRE).LCOGRE represents many of the key companies involved in the Libyan energy sector, and its members participated actively in this years OTC (Offshore Technology Conference in Houston) and RE+ renewable energies conference that AmCham sent delegations to.

It was a great opportunity to get feedback from Libyan businesspeople about how AmCham and the Embassy can continue to support their aspirations with U.S. companies, AmCham President Debbie Hirst said.

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AmCham Libya hosts meetings during recent visit of U.S. Embassy Commercial and Economic Officer David Morrison - Libya Herald

In the context of the holding of the Libya Healthcare Expo in Tripoli (24 to 27 June), under the auspices of the Emergency Medical and Support Centre (EMSC), the 12th campaign of Spanish doctors in several fields visited Libya to perform consultations and surgeries.

As in previous campaigns, the Spanish Embassy informed Libya Herald, the medical team will stay in Libya for one week. On this occasion, the team included plastic and reconstructive surgery, neurosurgeon and traumatology specialists. The Spanish team perform the operations in hospitals of the EMSC network throughout the country.

Libyan patients also receiving healthcare treatment in Spain Libyan patients are also receiving healthcare treatment, mostly surgeries, in Spanish hospitals. In 2023, 49 Libyan patients received treatment in Spain. Currently 13 patients are receiving healthcare in Spanish medical centres.

65 major surgeries planned bringing total to 500 surgeries since 2022 This 12th campaign will achieve 65 major surgeries, bringing the total number of surgeries to over 500 surgeries in Libya since the beginning of these activities in October 2022.

The EMSC is currently building 7 hospitals in Libya, 3 of which are close to becoming operational, in Tripoli, Janzour and Zuwara. Spanish medical teams will continue to travel to Libya to perform surgeries and train Libyan doctors in the process.

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Spanish doctors visit Libya in their 12th campaign 500 surgeries would have been performed since 2022 - Libya Herald

Libyas Assahl Almottahid Olive Oil Pressing Company won two gold and a silver medal in the United States International Olive Oil Competition (USIOOC) held in Miami this June.

The Libyan Export Promotion Centre (LEPC) General Manager received and honoured the Director of the Assahl Almottahid for the achievement.

The LEPC highlighted the technical, administrative and financial support it had provided to the company during the past years to enable it to conclude export contracts to many world markets.

It will be recalled that Libyan olive oils have over recent years won gold and silver awards at several international competitions, including Athens, Geneva, Tokyo, Oslo, and Berlin.

Libya a step closer to exporting olive oil directly to Europe and the rest of the world (libyaherald.com)

Libyan non-oil exports reach US$ 3.1 billion, headed by dates, olive oil and fish (libyaherald.com)

Two Libyan olive oil brands win gold at Athens International Olive Oil Competition 2024 (libyaherald.com)

Two Libyan olive oil brands win gold at Genevas European International Olive Oil Competition (EIOOC) 2024 (libyaherald.com)

Advancing the diversification of Libyas economy through planting high density olive trees for olive oil production (libyaherald.com)

Libyan winners of Japanese and Norwegian international olive oil competitions honoured (libyaherald.com)

Libyan olive oils win three prizes at the Japan Olive Oil Prize 2023 (libyaherald.com)

An olive oil industry can diversify the economy and earn foreign currency: Head of SME programme (libyaherald.com)

First National Olive Oil Prize launched (libyaherald.com)

Libyan olive oil from Gharian wins two international prizes during May (libyaherald.com)

Libyas Libico olive oil from Gharian wins another international prize (libyaherald.com)

Libyan olive oils win prizes at Berlin awards plans to increase production | (libyaherald.com)

Libico olive oil exported to Italy | (libyaherald.com)

Libyan Export Promotion Centre discusses with Italian Chamber export of olive oil, dates and tuna to Italy and Europe | (libyaherald.com)

Libya organizes non-oil exports conference Tripoli, 16-17 March | (libyaherald.com)

Libya considering allowing fish exports to EU | (libyaherald.com)

Libyan dates exported to Morocco through Benghazi port | (libyaherald.com)

Libya takes first steps towards exporting fish to Europe | (libyaherald.com)

Oil and olive oil fair opens in Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)

Never mind the oil, what about the olive oil? | (libyaherald.com)

Eighth Libyan Dates and Associated Industries exhibition opens in Tripoli | (libyaherald.com)

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Libyan olive oil wins gold and silver in U.S. olive oil competition - Libya Herald

This is a summary of what was said by Ewan Watson, UNHCR Head of Global Communications to whom quoted text may be attributed at todays press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

GENEVA As the impact of the conflict in Sudan continues to spread, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and partners are seeking additional resources to support millions of people forced to flee.

Aid partners now require $1.5 billion, up from $1.4 billion in January, to assist and protect up to 3.3 million people forced to flee, as well as local communities in neighbouring countries, until the end of the year.

Two new countries, Libya and Uganda, have been incorporated into the regional refugee response, in addition to the Central African Republic (CAR), Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

In Libya, UNHCR has registered over 20,000 Sudanese refugees who have arrived in the country since April 2023, with estimates of many more having arrived in the East of the country. With more refugees continuing to arrive since the escalation of fighting in the Darfur region, local services available across the country are overstretched. Refugee families are being forced to sleep in the open as there is a lack of shelter. Medical facilities also cannot keep up with growing needs, putting children in particular at risk of malnutrition.

Uganda the largest refugee hosting country in Africa has received more than 39,000 Sudanese refugees since the start of the war. Of these, nearly 27,000 have arrived this year alone, almost three times more than had been expected. Most of them are being hosted in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement, in the west of the country, where they are receiving humanitarian assistance including food, shelter and health care. As more people arrive, these services continue to be stretched, while resources to expand assistance are lacking.

Fourteen months into the war, thousands are still leaving Sudan every day, fleeing brutal violence and abuse, death, disrupted services, limited access to humanitarian aid and looming famine.

In Egypt, more than 402,000 Sudanese refugees have so far been registered, with over 38,000 new arrivals in May alone and more expected to arrive in the coming months. Arrivals in Chad have increased in the past weeks following the recent escalation of fighting in El Fasher, North Darfur, and atrocities reported in Al Jazirah State. Over 600,000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in Chad since the start of the conflict in April 2023. Numbers are expected to continue to increase as many civilians remain trapped or spend weeks hiding during their flight. At least 1,000 people a day still cross the border into South Sudan.

Neighbouring countries have shown great solidarity in welcoming those fleeing the war, but services in host communities remain overstretched, making it extremely difficult for refugees to settle, make a living and rebuild their lives.

So far, only 19 per cent of the required funds for the refugee response have been received, abysmally insufficient to cover the most basic needs for people forced to flee. The cost of inaction is having grave consequences for refugees. Food rations have been drastically cut, leading to severe food insecurity, and exacerbating harmful coping strategies. In the Central African Republic, 24,000 refugees remain without any form of humanitarian aid while 180,000 new arrivals in Chad are still waiting to be relocated away from border areas. In Egypt, nearly 75,000 refugee children are not enrolled in school. South Sudan urgently needs to expand refugee camps and settlements to avoid severe overcrowding in existing facilities.

Expected heavy rains in some of the countries also risks complicating the delivery of humanitarian aid, particularly to border areas. As aid, essential services and opportunities remain insufficient, there is the risk of many refugees choosing to move further afield.

Through the appeal, host governments will be supported to ensure access to territory and asylum for people seeking international protection. Funds will also strengthen government-led efforts to deliver critical assistance such as registration and identification of the most vulnerable, services for gender-based violence survivors, mental health, food, transport, logistics, health, and education services among others. Efforts to improve resilience through enhanced livelihood opportunities for people forced to flee and host communities in integrated settlements and in areas of return will be prioritized.

UNHCR continues to urge for stronger donor support for the response.

Since the conflict started, 10 million people have fled their homes in Sudan, with many displaced multiple times in search of safety. Of these, nearly 2 million people have arrived in neighbouring countries, with 7.7 million newly internally displaced and 220,000 refugees who have self-relocated within the country.

For broadcasters, news organizations and other media professionals: see b-roll.

See the Mid-Year Update of the 2024 Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP) here.

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As fighting rages in Sudan, refugee aid efforts expand to two new countries - ReliefWeb

MENASource May 24, 2024 Print this page Libyas special envoy resigned. Whats next for the country?

By Tahani Elmogrbi

Since the Libyan House of Representatives announced a new law for presidential and parliamentary elections on November 1, 2023, specifying a deadline of two hundred and forty days for holding the polls, political divisions in Libya have deepened. Despite this legislative step, disagreements persist among Libyan authorities, with various powerful politicians and military figures vying for control and influence over state resources.

The April 16 resignation of the head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdullah Batili, demonstrated the failure of international efforts to resolve the crisis, exacerbating divisions within Libya. Thus, the path to elections remains uncertain.

For the Libyan people, elections are crucial to establishing legitimate governance and resolving the political crisis. While Libya faces significant hurdles in organizing elections, concerted efforts toward political dialogue, security stabilization, and electoral-law reforms are vital for progress.

Tahani Elmogrbi, a Libya expert, interviewed the High National Election Commission chairman, Dr. Emad al-Sayah, on May 14 for the Atlantic Councils North Africa Initiative, to get his perspective on the elections in the current environment after Batilis resignation.

TAHANI ELMOGRBI: Will the elections ever happen in Libya?

EMAD AL-SAYAH: The stakeholders involved in the current Libyan political crisis, including the international community, led by the UNSMIL, consider elections as an objective rather than a tool. Everyone knows that elections serve as a tool for the peaceful devolution of power, necessitating their implementation within a consensual political environment and a cultural framework fostering a minimum level of security and stability. Unfortunately, these conditions are currently absent in the Libyan political landscape. As long as this perspective dominates, the pathway toward elections and a peaceful devolution of power in Libya will face significant constraints, potentially delaying or even preventing the conduct of elections in the short term.

TAHANI ELMOGRBI: What are the current main reasons behind its delay?

EMAD AL-SAYAH: The Libyan political environment has become hostile toward democratic principles, particularly elections. This phenomenon can be attributed to some factors that have produced negative outcomes and shaped the environment over the past twelve years. The most prominent of these factors include the absence of a culture of democracy and peaceful devolution of power within Libyan society; lack of a constitution to regulate the process of power devolution; negative foreign interference aimed at preserving its interests and maintaining the status quo; and ineffective performance of most of the United Nations secretary-generals special envoys.

TAHANI ELMOGRBI: Is it possible to amend the electoral law?

EMAD AL-SAYAH: Due to the absence of a permanent constitution establishing the primary legislative rules for the electoral process in Libya, political parties involved in the crisis have not accepted specific articles and provisions, particularly those related to candidate qualifications and the electoral system. In Libyan elections, it is common for some political parties to obstruct any electoral process that could potentially end their political careers. Therefore, amending electoral laws in Libya is much more challenging than drafting them initially.

TAHANI ELMOGRBI: Will Batilis resignation affect the possibility of holding elections?

EMAD AL-SAYAH: During the twelve years of dealing with the Libyan crisis, the United Nations mission did not have any strategic vision for moving the Libyan state from the transitional phase to the phase of permanent stability. Each UN envoy adopted a different vision for resolving the political crisis based on his/her convictions and perceptions, which would undoubtedly be affected by his/her personal behavior on the one hand, and by the constant and changing political facts in the local and foreign arenas on the other hand. Most of them failed in their missions, and those who would have succeeded found themselves facing challenges that they could not overcome without having international support, which is also divided. Analyzing the briefings they presented to the United Nations Security Council, which primarily reported on Libyas political, economic, and security situations, reveals that the resignation of any special envoy and their replacement will not have a significant impact without a coherent strategy in place.

TAHANI ELMOGRBI: Is it beneficial to focus on military and economic dialogues rather than political dialogue?

EMAD AL-SAYAH: The central issue in the Libyan crisis is the political dimension, which serves as its primary source and cannot be disregarded. Addressing other aspects, such as economic or security concerns, requires a political solution that results in an elected authority possessing the legitimacy to effectively manage other crises transparently and prioritize national interests above all else. Currently, there is a trend of leveraging foreign interests and ambitions to maintain power, which hinders progress toward resolving the crisis. Continuing with this approach, in the absence of unified and conscientious political leadership, will exacerbate political conflicts and deepen internal divisions. It will also safeguard the interests of foreign countries involved in the conflict and their local allies, preventing any political changes that may threaten their interests.

Tahani Elmogrbiis a Libya expert and international development specialist.

Mon, Apr 29, 2024

MENASource By Karim Mezran

The US and its allies cannot ignore anymore the importance of stabilizing Libya through a constant, inclusive, and transparent political process accompanied by a forceful action of resistance and pushback against the Russian infiltration.

Image: The two representatives of the Libyan Presidential Council, Musa Al-Koni and Abdullah Al-Lafi, inspect the group of operations The two representatives of the Libyan Presidential Council, Musa Al-Koni and Abdullah Al-Lafi, inspect the group of operations to establish security and support the security services, at the Ras Jadir border crossing, Libya, on March 29, 2024. Photo by Iraqi Presidency Office

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Libya's special envoy resigned. What's next for the country? - Atlantic Council