libya

Man on a boat lifting a young child to hand to rescuers

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land

In February 2017, Italy and Libya signed an agreement to try to slow the arrival of migrants across the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe, with Italy giving logistical and financial support to Libya's coast guard. Since then, migrant sea arrivals in Europe have declined, and so have drownings, but many migrants returned to Libya face abusive detention.

A year after the Italy-Libya migrant deal: Fewer deaths at sea but persistent abuse on land
Rescuers try to revive an unconscious refugee who arrived on a dinghy on the Greek island of Lesbos. Two unconscious arrivals were taken to a hospital and were later pronounced dead.

Not all those refugees are boarding ships voluntarily. Some are victims of extortion.

Not all those refugees are boarding ships voluntarily. Some are victims of extortion.
Two men stand next to destroyed buildings after clashes between military forces loyal to Libya's eastern government and Islamist fighters, in Benghazi, Libya, February 28, 2016.

John Kasich and Marco Rubio think US troops should be deployed in Libya. Really?

John Kasich and Marco Rubio think US troops should be deployed in Libya. Really?
Ken Dornstein

The man who may have solved the Lockerbie bombing

The man who may have solved the Lockerbie bombing
File photo from December 22, 1988, shows rescue personnel carrying a body away from the site of the crash in Lockerbie. A total of 270 people were killed when a bomb ripped apart Pan Am flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988.

New suspects in the Lockerbie bombing might actually want extradition

New suspects in the Lockerbie bombing might actually want extradition
Tunisian fishermen try on life jackets offered by MSF at the end of the training. The fishermen say in general they lack the equipment to cope with boatloads of migrants and refugees in distress.

Tunisian fishermen are trained to be 'safety nets' for migrants making a deadly sea crossing

Tunisian fishermen near the border with Libya are learning to be a safety net of sorts for migrants and refugees on the Mediterranean

Tunisian fishermen are trained to be 'safety nets' for migrants making a deadly sea crossing
Syrian migrants shout slogans at a refugee camp in Roszke, Hungary, August 28, 2015.

While migrants die and Europe drags its feet, smugglers continue to make a buck

Migrants die in increasingly desperate, and risky trips to Europe. But one smuggler seems okay to be their guide, so long as he gets paid.

While migrants die and Europe drags its feet, smugglers continue to make a buck
Libyan congress

This Libyan businessman paints a bleak picture of life in Libya now

Alaeddin Muntasser owns an oil and energy services company in Libya. He says daily life in the country has turned into nothing short of a nightmare.

This Libyan businessman paints a bleak picture of life in Libya now
Bokha

Libyans risk poisoning for a sip of illegal hooch in their dry nation

In Libya, alcohol is banned. But plenty of Libyans drink. And last year, illegal booze laced with methanol sent 1,500 people into Tripoli’s hospitals within a few days. Now some Libyans have turned to a simple recipe for distilling their own hooch, known as "bokha."

Libyans risk poisoning for a sip of illegal hooch in their dry nation
The Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) at sea last month. US Navy SEALs operating off the Roosevelt seized the oil tanker, Morning Glory, late Sunday in international waters near Cyprus.

The US Navy has seized control of a stateless tanker carrying Libyan oil

US Navy SEALs seized control of a tanker carrying Libyan oil in the Mediterranean late Sunday — at the request of the Libyan government. It seems that rebels in the country who hold a port were trying to export the oil.

The US Navy has seized control of a stateless tanker carrying Libyan oil
IDP camp near Tripoli

Gaddafi supporters face a tough future in the new Libya

Muammar Gaddafi had supporters in Libya, especially in one town long ago settled by African slaves. Gaddafi had a soft spot for the town. But when he fled, the fate of the residents turned for the worse.

Gaddafi supporters face a tough future in the new Libya
Three years after the start of the revolution, Osam Dabea goes back to the cave where his mother, sister and young brother found refuge during heavy shelling.

Three years after the start of their revolution, Libyans are still waiting for a constitution and a stable government

Libyans had great hope when they started their revolution three years ago and deposed long-time dictator Muammar Gaddafi. Now, many are tired and frustrated with a weak central government and broken promises. On February 20, they face a hastily-arranged election to select delegates who will only now start writing a new constitution.

Three years after the start of their revolution, Libyans are still waiting for a constitution and a stable government
Rescued migrants on board a coastguard vessel arrive at the harbor of Lampedusa.

Tragedy strikes African migrants headed to Italy seeking asylum

Some 500 African migrants piled into a boat in Libya this week, headed for Italy and, they hoped, asylum. But the boat sank, killing dozens with many more still missing.

Tragedy strikes African migrants headed to Italy seeking asylum

A Literary Talent Gone Too Soon

A Literary Talent Gone Too Soon