SNE Special Projects have operated within Libya since the revolution of 2011 and are a fully licensed security provider working with our Libyan partner company. We have kept our permanent British & Libyan Country Management Team in Tripoli throughout the last few difficult months, supporting our clients staff and critical infrastructure and offering up to date, regular and accurate reporting throughout this period. We are now in a strong position to advise and support our clients as they look to plan their re-entry back into Libya as and when the current situation stabilises and allows for remobilization. We have a vast amount of experience of supporting clients from the media, telecoms, power generation & NGO sectors. For more information on our services within Libya visit our website www.snespecialprojects.com or please email us at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk
SNE Libya Security Summary
United Nations Special Envoy Bernadino Leon has told Prime Minister Abdullah Al-Thinni that he and the UN are neutral in the Libyan crisis and that he was committed to working with all sides to find a solution that brings stability to Libya.
Extremist activity has certainly escalated within the east of the country this past week with a triple car bomb incident taking place within the town of ‘Qubah’ situated between Al Bayda and Derna. The incident was the largest single loss of life believed to be around 45 within Libya in an extremely long time. The incident is believed to be the work of ‘Daesh’ in retaliation for the recent Egyptian air-strikes in Derna.
There are currently many reports circulating from various sources both within and outside of Libya relating to Egyptian follow up air strikes and forces on the ground in the Derna area.
Surpassingly the 17th February activities country wide were conducted without major incident, certainly within the capital Tripoli there were for and against marches/protests taking place however were extremely calm. Also following the 17th February anniversary, certain areas which are highly recognized as being ‘Anti Libya Dawn’ removed blockades and barriers which were essentially not allowing outsiders within.
On 21 February Two bombs exploded outside the Iranian ambassador’s residence in Tripoli’s in the Ben Ashour district, one bomb went off outside the security gate and a second was thrown into the grounds of the residence half an hour later. The incident was apparently claimed by Daesh extremists within Libya via social media outlets.
Reports emerging throughout the previous week direct from SNE sources are that the Libyan National Army (LNA) beneath the Operation Dignity banner have indeed taken control of the previous occupied AAS camp areas which were hampering access to and from the Benina International Airport. It is believed that the fiercer fighting is continually taking place around the western gate area of Benghazi.
The GNC/Libya Dawn Omar Hassi Salvation government is considering the construction of a water desalination plant in the west of Tripoli, LANA reports. The plant is expected to have a capacity of 200,000 cubic meters per day. On The Salvation government and water minister visited a number of sites proposed for the Tripoli West plant by Janzur Municipality Council. No further details regarding the construction of the plant were reported.
The Arabian Gulf Oil Company, AGOCO is seeking to use real time satellite surveillance to try and better protect the Sarir pipeline which was blown up eight days ago, halting key oil exports out of the area.
Due to the current ongoing unstable and unpredictable security situation within Libya, SNE are recommending that at this moment in time clients only carry out business essential travel trips to Libya, these trips should only be undertaken within Tripoli city limits and no movement should be attempted in the hours of darkness or near certain flash point areas such as Tripoli International Airport and surroundings districts, GNC buildings and hotels known to be frequented by internationals which could prove to be flash points for further incidents.
Due to the attack on the Corinthia hotel in Tripoli on the 27 January, hotels in Tripoli are now being looked at again from a security perspective and for the time being we recommend only using safe accommodation which has been authorised for use.
Locally employed client staff within Libya should continually practice extra vigilance and caution regarding their personal security, in addition anything classed as suspicious should be reported to the SNE Security Tripoli Operations Manager at the first opportunity.
We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Kikla and Rujban and other surrounding areas where fighting is still ongoing between the Zintan and Libya Dawn militia groups. Sporadic fighting between rival tribal factions is also currently ongoing in the areas of Ubari, Sabha & Murzuq and we are advising our clients Not to travel to these southern areas at present.
We are still presently advising NO travel should be made to Benghazi until the current situation shows signs of stability and Operation Dignity forces have full control of the city and transportation methods of entering and leaving Benghazi are open again.
SNE are supporting our clients at present in Tripoli with business essential travel visits and are offering a full turnkey security risk management, safe transportation with secure accommodation and life support package based from our Tripoli villa.
The British FCO and US State Department are still advising against travel to Libya and are monitoring the security and political situation before considering remobilisation plans back into Libya.
SNE remains fully operational on the ground within Tripoli, where our British Country Management Team are able to support any of our existing and additional clients requests and provide up to date accurate information and analysis on the ever changing situation to those clients who are currently out of country monitoring the situation with an aim to re-deploying when the security and political situation allows.
Before considering travel to Libya, an itinerary specific pre-travel risk assessment including mitigation measures are recommended. In-country personnel should be confident in their evacuation procedures and crisis management plans and in light of the current situation these should be checked and updated where necessary with the appropriate level of support in country to activate the plans when required.
To discuss further how SNE can support your projects in Libya please contact us by email at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk or call our Dubai office on +971 44561542 / +971 503786803
