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 enough and allows for remobilization. We have a vast amount of experience of supporting clients from the media, telecoms, power generation, Oil & Gas, Construction & NGO sectors. For more information on our services within Libya please email us at specialprojects@snegroup.co.uk or visit our website www.snespecialprojects.co.uk
The UNSMIL have today begun a busy period of fresh negotiations with meetings in Algiers and Skhirat, Morocco and further talks between tribal elders stated to take place in Egypt. Political leaders and activists have begun a second two-day meeting in Algiers, hosted by UNSMIL chief Bernardino Leon. At the last gathering in March there was an even split between representatives of secular and Islamist parties. This gave rise to protests that it did not represent the outcome of last June’s general election in which Islamist parties won only a minority of the seats in the new House of Representatives. What appears to be the clearest threat yet of individuals sanctions against those opposing the peace talks have been issued by Bernardino Leon this week. Federica Morgherini warned: “Those who continue to undermine the talks will be identified by the international community and held accountable for their actions”. She said that all groups in Libya should not do anything to increase tensions at a time when the participants in the political dialogue had reached a decisive stage
This week it was reported that the International community recognizes legitimacy of new NOC, this was announced at a HoR cabinet meeting by Al Thinni the HoR Prime Minister.
The main entrance of the Moroccan ambassador’s residence next to the embassy in Tripoli’s Ben Ashour district was attacked very early on Sunday morning. An RPG is believed to have been used, although there was substantial damage no one was hurt. The Moroccan ambassador and diplomats, like those from many countries, are no longer operating out of Tripoli. Responsibility for the attack has apparently been claimed by the Islamic State (IS), they are also being linked with the attack outside the South Korean the dayt before both which are still to be confimed. The attack comes two days before the main negotiations in the UN brokered dialogue process are due to resume in the Moroccan resort of Skhirat.
This is the fourth such attack in as many weeks. On 15 March a bomb exploded outside the headquarters of 166 Battalion killing one of its members. There was a second car bomb on 22 March outside the city’s security administration building. Fortunately, no one was killed or injured. However, just five days ago, seven people died when a truck blew up next to a bus which had stopped at the Sadada checkpoint.
An apparent suicide attack in Misrata failed early this morning with only the bomber killed. A second assailant involved in the incident was later captured in the town. The Islamic State (IS), which has threatened an onslaught of suicide and car bombings in Misrata, is being blamed for the attack although, unusually for it, it has not yet rushed to claim responsibility.
General Khalifa Hafter, the commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), has flown to the Jordanian capital, Amman for talks on military collaboration between the two countries in the fight against terrorism.
Reports have surfaced that two Ansar Al-Sharia commanders, were captured in Benghazi’s Gwarsha district on Saturday one Tunisian and the other Libyan. Reports stated that the two were caught when moving between checkpoints. The Libyan National Army (LNA) says it captured 12 Ansar Al-Sharia fighters today and killed several others in Benghazi’s Hawari distract as major fighting continued there, in Leithi and in the southern district of Garyounis.
A senior Egyptian foreign ministry official has called for the crushing of IS extremists in Libya as well as in Iraq and Syria.
The long disrupted Abu Attifel oil field near Jalu may be resuming production, following agreement with job-seeking locals this last week whilst at the same time Job protestors have shut down Sirte Oil with the gas shortage threatening eastern power-making capability.
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 at some point in the future.
SNE remains fully operational on the ground within Tripoli, where our mixed British and Libyan 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.
