Libya’s second city, a major eastern hub and historic crossroad
A total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026 has passed across Greenland, Iceland and parts of northern Spain while the UK and Ireland have seen a deep partial eclipse — the most extensive visible from Britain since 1999. Scientists have collected coronagraph and in‑flight data to study the Sun’s corona and short‑term atmospheric effects; safety warnings about direct viewing were widely issued.
A drone attack has hit Libya’s Zawiya refinery, triggering a large fire and prompting the NOC to declare a state of emergency. The incident follows multiple strikes on oil facilities amid a protracted split between rival administrations. Officials warn of potential force majeure if attacks continue.
Drone strikes target Zawiya’s energy complex, igniting fires at a refinery tank and damaging a power plant. Authorities report ongoing firefighting and state of emergency as rival Libyan administrations blame each other for security lapses.
The UN-backed 4+4 committee has forged an initial framework to hold presidential and parliamentary elections within 24 months under a unified executive. While rival institutions signaled tentative support, implementation remains the biggest hurdle as divisions persist and power-sharing is tested.
The Libyan conflict deepens as drone strikes target western energy infrastructure, prompting scrutiny of Saddam Haftar’s role. Reports connect Haftar’s faction with plots against Tripoli, while regional powers weigh a plan to unify Libya’s rival administrations. The UN-backed process faces renewed tensions ahead of potential elections.
Libya’s eastern House of Representatives has replaced speaker Agila Saleh with Abdulnabi Al-Obeidi after approving a new rule limiting the speaker and deputies to a single 12-month term. The move follows parliamentary discontent and aligns with Haftar’s eastern bloc, raising questions about national reconciliation as UN-backed talks stall.
Human Rights Watch says forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar have carried out executions after unfair trials, with at least 50 detainees at imminent risk. The country remains split between eastern and western authorities, amid a moratorium breach that could reshape regional stability.
Eastern Libyan Parliament has ratified the 2019 maritime memorandum with Turkey, reversing years of opposition. Greece, Egypt, and Cyprus reject the move; the EU calls it null and void. The vote underscores a broader shift as Haftar-aligned forces seek strategic gains and Ankara strengthens influence in both Libya and the eastern Mediterranean.
The Libyan central bank is under pressure as parliament accepts the governor’s resignation in principle and appoints an interim successor amid continued instability between Tripoli and Benghazi. Banks face a raid and ongoing governance crises, with the eastern parliament and Haftar-aligned actors seeking to shape the outcome.