Tripolitania and Tripoli
The Libya Herald wrote that three Qatari’s, who were arrested in Gharyan on 11 November, included the brother-in-law of Qatar’s emir. The Qatari’s were arrested for illegal entry into the country and hunting without a permit. The report also claimed that they were in possession of ‘sophisticated military-grade communication devices’ although this was not further elaborated. The three were released on 13 November after the Qatari embassy intervened in the matter.
Libya’s official news agency WAL reported that ‘The Martyrs Brigade of Misallata’ handed over its weapons and ammunition to the government aligned Brigade 131 on 13 November. Brigade 132 comes under the army’s Chief of Staff; the rebel Misallata brigade affirmed the importance of the state and the need for disarmament. Separately, on 14 November WAL reported the integration of several small brigades into the Ministry of Defence’s 101st Brigade. The Al Rahba Brigade, the Martyrs of Al Hamadiya, the Hassan Al Jaber Brigade, and the Mohammed Al Madani Brigade in Tajura were reported to have announced their integration into the national apparatus.
Following the recent clashes on10/11 November between rival militias in Kabaw and Tiji, Al Watan Libya reported that on 15 November, the Chief of Staff had instructed a committee to supervise the removal of heavy weapons from a military camp in Tiji. The weapons will be moved to a camp in Azizia for training.
Mohammed Ali Saleh, the military commander for the southern sector around Ubari, told the Libyan Press Solidarity news source on 19 November that a wave of African migrants is threatening stability in the region. He noted that displaced persons from northern Mali, where Islamist militias now rule, are arriving at the Libyan border as African forces prepare for military action against the Islamist militias. According to the report, Saleh has informed the Chief of Staff of the influx of refugees and requested additional support in the event of military intervention in northern Mali. Saleh claimed that he has four brigades to protect the borders and critical infrastructure, but lacks necessary weapons and communication equipment.
