| North Western: Tripoli was hit with multiple road closures on Monday afternoon in relation to the civil disobedience strike that was announced last week and commenced on Sunday. The airport road was closed off by the Zintan militia on the southern end, with the northern end being blocked off with burning tyres in the area of the MOI. Earlier in the week, armed protests gathered outside the offices of the Prime Ministers building, blockading the road and firing indiscriminately into the air. To the West of Libya at the border with Tunisia, the crossing of Ras Jedir still remains closed after the two countries failed to come to an agreement. The continuing deterioration of the country has been noted by the EU departments of Foreign affairs and security policy who are appointing a special personal advisor specifically for Libya.
Eastern: During this last week the federalist or ‘Barqa’ self-proclaimed government, has been engaging in talks with the GNC and are relinquishing the halts of some of the Oil terminals in the Eastern Region. However they may hold onto the larger of the two terminals as bargaining chips in the interim period. This is a huge step forward, resulting in the much needed cash injection into the Libyan treasury. Sporadic fighting in the city between armed groups left two people dead and one injured on Sunday evening, in a separate incident Najat Allush a human rights activist narrowly escaped an assassination attempt when his vehicle was shot at several times. Benghazi airport was closed for a period over the weekend due to the call for a national strike, with protesters claiming that this has been introduced due to the real lack of security in the city. It has since re-opened for International flights only, in line with that strike the eastern border crossing with Egypt at Al Salloum has now been closed. Southern: The murder of Salim Al-Qaddafi outside his workplace, in the City of Sebha this week has been blamed on his loyalty to the revolution. Although from the Qaddafi tribe it is believed that his political views were the reason for his death. The staff at the nationwide Bank which he worked for went on strike in all branches for several days, again to protest at the vast lack of security, endemic to this region. Rival forces in the South are still sporadically fighting, which the Islamist militants are exploiting to their advantage, and gaining a stronger hold in this area due to the weak government forces. Western countries are pledging support by training new Libyan forces, but it could be several years before they are strong enough to work without the Militia’s. SNE assesses that travel to Libya is still possible but advises that stringent security and travel management plans are in place. An itinerary specific pre-travel risk assessment including mitigation measures are recommended. Travel to desert and border areas, between cities and major urban centres including Benghazi and many other hot spots in the eastern region of the country will require additional security support. In-country personnel should be confident in their evacuation procedures and crisis management plans. Crime remains one of the biggest risks to foreign personnel operating on the ground and the risk is assessed to be at its highest in outlying areas of the cities, particularly after last light when travel is not recommended. SNE can assist clients with pre entry risk assessments, on the ground physical support, safe discreet transportation, accommodation/business centre and risk management services throughout the region with villas and offices in both Tripoli & Benghazi. |
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