馃嚤馃嚲LibyaNorth Africa
Libyan Transport Minister meets Chinese Ambassador to discuss cooperation and direct flights
via Libya Herald1 min read
Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, Libya's Minister of Transport and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister, met with the Chinese Ambassador in Tripoli to discuss strengthening bilateral relations. Key topics included leveraging China's expertise in transportation, encouraging Chinese investment in Libya, and exploring the resumption of direct flights between the two countries. The Ministry stated that the meeting aims to consolidate international relations and expand cooperation for mutual benefit.
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Libya Herald.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdel Hamid Aldabaiba stated that no decisions regarding Libya's future would be made without the consent of the Libyan people or imposed upon them. Speaking at the Fourth Ordinary Cabinet Meeting of 2026 in Zliten, Aldabaiba emphasized that national solutions require courage and that making concessions for the homeland is an act of nobility. He announced plans to address the Libyan public to discuss proposed initiatives and ideas, and to engage in a national dialogue with municipalities, political parties, and civil society organizations to gather diverse opinions. Aldabaiba reiterated that only proposals accepted by the Libyan people would move forward. He also affirmed the commitment to building a civil state, holding fair elections, and ensuring no extrajudicial detention or infringement on freedom of expression, with the state responsible for citizens' rights and law enforcement for all.
A Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO report indicates that Libya's 2026 cereal production is expected to decrease by nearly 20% compared to the five-year average, totaling about 150,000 tonnes. This decline is attributed to mixed weather conditions, including dry weather from October to November 2025 which delayed planting and reduced planted areas, particularly in the Al Jabal Al Akhdar province. Consequently, cereal import requirements for the 2026/27 marketing year are forecast at 3.3 million tonnes, approximately 7% above average, with wheat imports alone projected at 1.5 million tonnes. The report also notes an 18% year-on-year increase in food inflation by May 2026, largely due to the Libyan dinar's depreciation. Furthermore, political and economic instability, coupled with funding shortfalls, continue to hinder humanitarian assistance to vulnerable households, including over 110,000 registered refugees as of April 2026.
Must ReadLibya's Tripoli-based Minister of Interior, Major General Emad Trabelsi, stated that fuel smuggling is a major problem plaguing the country, leading to massive profiteering and plunder. Speaking during the Fourth Ordinary Cabinet Meeting of 2026 in Zliten, Trabelsi highlighted the Ministry of Interior's efforts over two and a half years to track fuel shipments in the western region, excluding Misrata and Zawia, which were deferred to a second phase due to the vast scope. He expressed concern over a recent decision to form a committee for fuel distribution involving municipal mayors, the National Oil Corporation, and Brega Petroleum Marketing Company, arguing that this approach would sideline the Ministry of Interior and lead to a resurgence of smuggling. Trabelsi noted that these entities lack the capacity to confront smuggling operations backed by military forces and corrupt state officials. He also claimed that a single petrol station operator can make at least 100,000 dinars daily from smuggling, and he has shut down over 500 stations. Trabelsi further indicated that diesel smuggling is blatant, with shipments diverted immediately upon arrival, and admitted he cannot clash with other security agencies and state entities involved in the practice.