Lybia Roundup: Armed clashes, oil production, economic development

Request for suspension of Lybian Coast Guard

EU-funded Libyan Coast Guard has obstructed MSF rescue operation, endangering hundreds of people seeking safety. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has called on the EU to suspend support for the Libyan Coast Guard, citing violent pushbacks and human rights abuses. The MSF wants its member states to immediately suspend financial and material support to the Libyan Coast Guard and stop intentionally fueling the forced return of people to Libya, according to Doctors Without Borders.

Oil production

Libya's oil production exceeded 33.5 million barrels in February Libya's state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) has indicated plans to increase daily production to 2 million barrels within 3 years despite challenges from armed conflicts and disruptions. In a Facebook post, NOC indicated that 515,461 tons of petroleum products and 110,729 tons of petrochemicals were produced in February. The production of condensates was 198,445 tons, while natural gas production was 983.2 million cubic meters in February, The Star reports.

Armed clashes

The Libya-Tunisia border crossing at Ras Jedir closed due to armed clashes. The action comes after accusations by Libya that ‘outlaws’ attacked the Ras Jedir border crossing. Meanwhile, the Libyan interior ministry has vowed legal action against the attackers. Security forces have also been dispatched to combat smuggling and secure the border, according to Aljazeera.

Economic development

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah has asserted that the economy does not need the Central Bank's proposed 27% tax on the foreign currency exchange rate. He claims public debt is zero, inflation is low, and the government supports the Central Bank of Libya (CBL) and purchases gold. Dbeibah further said that imposing a tax on the foreign currency exchange rate would lead to a 26% devaluation in Libyans’ dinar, the Lybian Observer reports.

Efforts to tackle political impasse

The United Nations and the United States are working to end the political impasse in Libya, focusing on economic crisis, national reconciliation, and resolving electoral law differences. Fear of Russian military influence adds urgency to the efforts. A high-level US delegation led by the US Special Envoy for Libya Richard Norland completed a working visit to the country to rally support for the UN-facilitated political process. There were also meetings held by UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative for Libya Abdoulaye Bathily with key Libyan leaders and shortly before an Arab League-sponsored meeting last week in Cairo between the Head of the Libyan Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfi, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and Head of the High Council of State Mohamed Tekla, according to Ahram.