Libya
The docking at Tobruk of two Federation warships – the frigate Admiral Shaposhnikov and the cruiser Varyag – underscored the increase of Russian activity in eastern Libya. Meanwhile, Italian press sources have reported the seizure of an arms shipment from the container ship MSC Arina at the port of Gioia Tauro. The ship – which was inspected by the Italian authorities on the recommendation of the United States – had reportedly departed from the port of Shenzen carrying a shipment of Chinese Wing Loong drones bound for Benghazi to support the Lybian National Army of Khalifa Haftar.
With a formal protest addressed to the Sudanese consul in Benghazi, the government in Sirte refuted accusations that field marshal Khalifa Haftar – head of the Libyan National Army and de facto leader of eastern Libya – is backing the rebel Rapid Support Forces of Mohamed Dagalo “Hemedti”, who since April 2023 has been fighting general Abdel Fattah al-Burhan for control of Sudan. The widely rumoured allegations were expressed during a UN Security Council meeting by the Sudanese representative at the UN, Al-Harith Idris, who argued that documents given to the Council by the Sudanese government also proved the involvement of the United Arab Emirates on Dagalo’s side. Idris’ statement echoes those of several international observers. In the same days, clashes occurred in southern Libya between pro-RSF militia and forces affiliated to Minni Minawi, former Darfur strongman who currently opposes Dagalo.
Meanwhile, internal tensions surged in western Libya. Amazigh protestors from the nearby city of Zuwara blocked the reopening of the Ras Ajdir border crossing, which had been scheduled for June 23rd after several delays. The crossing, a strategic trade route connecting Libya and Tunisia, had been closed since last March, following clashes between the Zuwaran militias overseeing traffic and government forces sent by Tripoli’s minister of the Interior, Emad Trabelsi, to take control of the customs on the Libyan side. The renewed protests this month also saw sporadic clashes as government forces reportedly attempted to enter Zuwara. Following a new meeting between Prime minister Dabaiba and local notables, however, both Tunisian and Libyan authorities announced the reopening of Ras Ajdir on June 1st. During the negotiations, Dabaiba reportedly agreed to address the grievances of employees in Mellitah, the main gas plant in western Libya at a short distance from the crossing, as well as to undertake electrification and desalination projects for the benefit of the nearby coastal towns.
Download the June 2024 report
Med-Or hosted the President of the High Council of State, Mohamed Takala, to examine the current situation in Libya.
Libya’s instability, its porous borders, and the country’s central position could grant Moscow a strategic asset for its penetration into the African continent and a new outpost on the Mediterranean.
In a changed international context, Italy continues its efforts to stabilise the country. By Daniele Ruvinetti
| Head of state | Mohammad Menfi |
| Head of Government | Abdul Hamid Dbeiba |
| Institutional Form | National Unity Government |
| Capital | Tripoli |
| Legislative Power | House of Representatives (unicameral, 200 Members of Parliament) |
| Judicial Power | A transitional judicial system |
| Ambassador to Italy | Muhannad Saeed Ahmed Younes |
| Total Area kmq | 1.759.540 Km2 |
| Land | 1.759.540 Km2 |
| Weather | Desertic hinterland, Mediterranean climate on the coasts |
| Natural resources | oil, natural gas, plaster |
| Economic summary | The economy depends almost exclusively on oil and gas exports, but it’s compromised by political and security instability, the suspension of oil production and the decline of oil prices in global market |
| GDP | € 40.1 billion (2023) |
| Pro-capite GDP (Purchasing power parity) | $8753 (December 2021) |
| Exports | € 33 billion (2023) |
| Export partner | Italy 21.1%, Turkey 19.6%, UAE 10.6%, Germany 9.14%, China 8.48%, Spain 7.53%, France 5.59% (2020) |
| Imports | €19.9 billion (2023) |
| Import partner | China 15.9%, Turkey 14%, Italy 8.51%, UAE 8.49%, Greece 6.09%, Netherlands 4.8%, Germany 3.45% (2020) |
| Trade With Italy | € 9,067 billion (2023) |
| Population | 7.137.931 (2022 est.) |
| Population Growth | +1,65% (2022 est.) |
| Ethnicities | Berber arabs 97%, other groups 3% (in part Italian) |
| Languages | Arabic |
| Religions | Muslim 96.6% (Islam is the official religion), Christianity 2.7%, other religions 0.3% |
| Urbanization | 81,3% (2022 est.) |
| Literacy | 91% (2022 est.) |
Independent since 1947, Libya is a country in North Africa, bordering with the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Egypt to the east, Sudan, Chad and Niger to the south, Algeria to the west and Tunisia to the northwest. The population is about 7 million and the official language is Arabic.
After the first Libyan civil war in 2011, which led to international military intervention and the fall of the Gaddafi regime, Libya has entered a critical stage in its history, experiencing civil conflict which has also affected the rest of the region. After the signing of a formal ceasefire between the parties involved in the conflict, Libya is now heading toward a complex transition stage.
Trade between Libya and Italy amounts to $8,61 billion (2021), with a negative balance for Italy. The bulk of Italian sales to Libya consists of petroleum products, but a significant proportion is also taken up by machinery, electrical appliances and food. Italian imports from Libya mainly consist of crude oil, followed by natural gas and, to a lesser extent, products derived from the process of oil refining, chemical products, fertilisers and nitrogen compounds. Libya plays an important role for Italy, not only because its proximity makes it a “natural” oil supplier for the Italian market, but also because it is a crossing point for migration flows from Africa to Europe.
