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 Holy month of Ramadan has finished and Eid celebrations are now over in Libya with the people getting back to normal business.
Libyans and Western observers are still hopeful that the UNSMIL brokered deal and talks to form the new Government remain on track and that the abstaining GNC members will be side-lined and possibly sanctions placed on them for appearing to hold Libya to ransom. There is some confusion over what the status quo is regarding the signed draft and reports of a split in Misrata over support for the draft.
In Tobruk a list of overseas Ambassadorial appointments was published and is awaiting signing by the HoR, along with confirmation of funding to their respective Embassies with some overseas staff claiming they haven’t received their salary for months.
There remains no news on the situation regarding the missing Italian Contractors, having crossed the Ras Jdir Border crossing late on 19 July they were kidnapped on the way to their workplace at Mellitah Oil & Gas site just 70 kms from the border. Libyan Security forces searched the areas surrounding the kidnap site but reported no progress made to find the men or identify which group is responsible. However ENI stated that they are not believed to be in the hands of “Daesh” nor is it felt that there is a political agenda and is most likely criminal gangs, looking for money.
Tunisia has continued with building a perimeter wall along its Libyan border and welcomed the recent German diplomats suggestion of an EU Border force in Tunisia to increase Security, this has not been welcomed by Libyan and Tunisian villagers either side of Ras Jdir who have historically benefitted from the cross border trade and smuggling, which led to a gun battle between Tunisian border police and Libyan smugglers on 25 July.
UNSMIL’s concern over the ongoing Tebu-Tuarag fighting in the South may have assisted with a truce signing on the 25 July, which was mediated by Tribal Elders and local tribes from North West Libya, although reports of fighting and fatalities in Kufra were received the same day.
Daesh have been totally ousted from Derna by the local Islamist Militia group “Abu Salim Martyrs” with angry residents in support after a protest against the numbers of foreign fighters with Daesh in the city turned violent and at least 7 people were killed including a Commander from the Abu Salim Martyrs. Daesh still have a stronghold in Sirte and it is known that checkpoints around that troubled city are manned by Egyptian and Tunisian fighters.
Libya’s second city, Benghazi is still very dangerous and with General Hefters forces now fighting in at least three districts and the port area against a determined Ansar Al Sharia and Daesh force with many casualties on both sides. It is reported that the Libyan National Army are fatigued from the relentless fighting, General Hefter has stated that if the arms Embargo was lifted, he could buy superior weaponry and defeat the “enemies of Libya” in a short time.
This week the British Prime Minister, David Cameron was quoted as saying that he has not ruled out British Military intervention in Libya against Daesh, this news was generally welcomed in Libya.
The migrant crisis is believed to be a factor in European Government decisions, with many thousands of mostly Sub-Saharan Africans making the trek across Libya and the onward journey across the Mediterranean every week and sadly a large number drowning during the crossing.
We are advising No movement to the western area of Libya in and around Al Aziah and other surrounding areas where fighting is still ongoing between the Zintan (LNA) and Misrata (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 pack-age 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 stabilises and allows for travel.
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.
