Middle East Politics.Net » Libya http://middleeastpolitics.net Facts, News, Trends, Analysis Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:56:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 Libyan Interest in Western Investment http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/libyan-interest-in-western-investment/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/libyan-interest-in-western-investment/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 06:00:51 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3794 According to the Italian Foreign Minister, Libya along with the UAE has expressed interest in Telecom Italia. The foreign minister told Reuters, “For now, we’ve had explorations, contacts which have not translated into a concrete interest. There is an interest in the infrastructure, tourism and transport sectors. Libya is interested.” During the recent financial crisis, Libya has been able to supply many western companies with necessary capital. Because of the close relations with Italy, Libya is very interested in investing in Italian companies, and according to the Libyan ambassador to Italy, Libya is interested in five or six Italian companies. However, Libya is only interested in companies without debt problems, which probably means the it is no longer interested in Telecom Italia, which has a significant amount of debt. Update.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/libyan-interest-in-western-investment/feed/ 0 Extended Stay by Libya in the Philippines http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/extended-stay-by-libya-in-the-philippines/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/extended-stay-by-libya-in-the-philippines/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 05:47:36 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3789 Libya currently has an international monitoring team in Mindanao in the Philippines and has agreed to extend its stay for another three months. Sadek As Osman, the person in charge of the team said that the decision reflects “Libya’s renewed support of the peace process” between the Philippine government and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). The extended stay of Libya’s monitoring team is supposedly welcomed by representatives of both sides.  Japan also called upon Manila to revive negotiations with the MILF.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/extended-stay-by-libya-in-the-philippines/feed/ 0 Successful Negotiations between Libya and EU http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/negotiations-between-libya-and-eu-go-well/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/negotiations-between-libya-and-eu-go-well/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:39:49 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3782 According to Mr. Hugues Mingarelli, the officer in charge of the European Commission’s external relations, negotiations between the European Union and Libya in regards to an economic partnership agreement have “got off to a good start,” and suggests that Libyan authorities should continue in this direction in order to maintain “this pace of progress in the negotiations.”  The recent negotiations have been “aimed at establishing a legal framework between the two parties,” in order to create a free trade area between Libya and the EU, and the proposed agreement might not be the same as those signed with other countries, regionally similar to Libya. Mr. Mingarelli also said that if negotiations succeed, the EU would be willing to assist Libya with its illegal emigration problem.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/negotiations-between-libya-and-eu-go-well/feed/ 0 Most Environmentally Friendly Refinery Coming to Libya http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/the-most-environmental-friendly-refinery-to-be-built-in-libya/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/the-most-environmental-friendly-refinery-to-be-built-in-libya/#comments Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:32:13 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3774 Zwara Oil Refining Company (owned by the Libyan Government) has appointed HSBC Bank as the financial advisor for a new oil refinery in north-western Libya. This will be the first major government-sponsored project that will be commercially financed. It will refine about 200,000 barrels per day of crude oil and will use existing infrastructure, especially with the Libya Oil Holding company and Tamoil to distribute it regionally as well as internationally. Dr. Shamekh, chairman of the company states that “This project will be the most environmental friendly refinery ever built.” He also goes on to state that the refinery will service local, regional and international markets as well as the fact that this is the first “commercially structured project [...] costing around $4 billion.”

David Crowley


]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/06/the-most-environmental-friendly-refinery-to-be-built-in-libya/feed/ 0 Dying Megrahi’s Wife Participates in Protest http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/dying-megrahis-wife-participates-in-protest/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/dying-megrahis-wife-participates-in-protest/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 22:30:30 +0000 dada http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3723

As reported on in an earlier post, dying convicted Lockerbie bomber Abdelbaset Ali Mohmet Al-Megrahi was rejected on his appeal to be released on bail due to advanced prostate cancer.

Megrahi’s wife and family participated in the Silent Walk For Justice, which took place in Edinburgh, Scotland to raise awareness of “victims of miscarriages of justice.”

At the demonstration, Megrahi’s lawyer read a statement on behalf of Megrahi’s wife, Aisha. He read, “We are here for the sake of all those innocent souls who are suffering in silence…I call upon the people of Scotland, whom I know to be compassionate people, and all humanitarian institutions to consider the suffering of my husband.”

Family and friends of other victims of the justice system also used this opportunity to bring light to their loved ones’ situations by carrying photographs and candles during the protest.

Sarah Dada

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/05/dying-megrahis-wife-participates-in-protest/feed/ 0 Religious Leaders Meet in Libya http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/religious-leaders-meet-in-libya/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/religious-leaders-meet-in-libya/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:59:24 +0000 dada http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3551

Religious leaders from all around Africa began a 4-day conference in Libya’s capital, Tripoli. The conference is being held in order to discuss the role of religion in creating a more peaceful Africa. Simultaneously, the African Council of Religious Leaders is holding its second general assembly.

Expected to open the event were past African state leaders. These included Olusegun Obasanjo from Nigeria and Ahmad Teejan from Sierra Leone.

This conference is “an opportunity for religious leaders representing all historic faith traditions to share the experiences of their religious communities transforming conflict, building peace and advancing sustainable development.”

The African Council of Religious Leaders has been watching over and has become increasingly concerned with the many conflicts taking place in African countries today. They are hoping this conference will help bring about dialogue on how to peacefully resolve conflicts.

Sarah Dada

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/religious-leaders-meet-in-libya/feed/ 0 Will OPEC Cut Production? http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/will-opec-cut-production-again/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/will-opec-cut-production-again/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:57:46 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3549 Shokri Ghanem, the chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation recently stated that OPEC has many options still open to it, including a cut in global production. However, before any new cuts to production occur, Ghanem stated that OPEC needed to carefully asses members’ compliance with previous cuts.

According to OPEC, the market is flooded with oil right now and demand is dropping faster than anticipated. This has led to a drop of over 60% in the price of oil since July.

Is OPEC’s concern for the oil market based on a desire to help the global financial situation, which Ghanem said was in shambles, or is it rather to increase profits for the member countries, many of whom rely on oil revenues to fund social works in their countries? Although OPEC may have the international economy’s interest at heart, when a cartel meets and determines to cut production, many see something different.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/will-opec-cut-production-again/feed/ 0 Libya Oil Refinery Project Seeks Financing http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-oil-refinery-project-seeks-commercial-financing/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-oil-refinery-project-seeks-commercial-financing/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:46:17 +0000 dada http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3553

Zwara Oil Refining Company, or ZORCO, has made HSBC the financial adviser to a crude oil refinery expected to be built in Zwara, located in northwest Libya.

ZORCO is owned by Tamoil Africa Holding, which is in turn owned by the Libya Africa Investment Portfolio. This ultimately means the Libyan government has ownership. Important to note is that this will be the first large project sponsored by the government that will be commercially financed.

When done, the refinery “will be producing refined oil products targeting the local, regional and international markets, and is expected to benefit from Tamoil’s, and its sister company Libya Oil Holding’s extensive distribution network in Africa and regionally.”

This refinery is also expected to be the greenest and most environmentally conscious refinery ever built.

Sarah Dada

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-oil-refinery-project-seeks-commercial-financing/feed/ 0 Libya and Arab League Want End of Gaza Siege http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:38:13 +0000 dcrowley http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3546 Libya, backed by the Arab League, has called for a UN Security council meeting to discuss the dire situation in the Gaza Strip in regards to Israel’s recent actions. In a statement today, the Arab League called for the UN to take action and allow humanitarian supplies to enter the Gaza Strip.

This comes after Israel recently turned back a Libyan vessel in Palestinian waters that was carrying humanitarian aid, forcing it back to Egypt. This event was the first time an Arab nation tried to break the Israeli siege and it is likely that the vessel will attempt to deliver its cargo again.

Israel has blockaded Gaza for the past year, since Hamas legally won elections in the region and seized control. At this point, Israel is just tarnishing its global image even more. It is time for Israel to recognize Hamas’s political grievances and legitimacy, while still targeting the Al-Qassam Brigade. Only then will any significant progress in the peace process be made.

David Crowley

]]> http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-arab-league-want-the-end-of-the-gaza-siege/feed/ 0 Libya and Oman Create Joint Company http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-oman-create-joint-company/ http://middleeastpolitics.net/2008/12/04/libya-and-oman-create-joint-company/#comments Fri, 05 Dec 2008 06:32:56 +0000 dada http://middleeastpolitics.net/?p=3542

Libya and Oman signed an ‘act of partnership’ to form the Libyan-Omani Company of Investment. This company has a capital of 500 million dollars, according to Al Arab Online.

The company will hold its office in Tripoli and will focus on working in “economic sectors like tourism, industry, services and energy.” For the future, there is also the ability of the company to expand the fields it works in.

The agreement for the company was signed in August, when the Sultan of Oman, Qabous Bin Said, visited Libya. Within this agreement, the money the company makes, the land it owns, and the wages it pays to its employees will not be held to the tax policies of Libya and Oman.

Sarah Dada

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