Latest news in Libya? September 18th, 2026
18-09-2026
Aviation & International Travel
Libyan carrier MedSky has officially resumed direct flights between Libya and Paris after a 15-year hiatus. The new triangular route links Tripoli (Mitiga Airport), Paris (Charles de Gaulle), and Benghazi (Benina Airport).
Energy Sector Developments & Tensions
Gas & Oil Targets: Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Abdulsadek announced plans to double Libya’s gas output to 4 billion standard cubic feet per day within three to five years. In parallel, Austrian energy group OMV announced that the Essar exploration well in the Sirte Basin is commercially viable, estimating recoverable resources of up to 43 million barrels of oil.
Field Disruptions: Protests by members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) have prompted shutdowns and partial cuts at several oil facilities (including Hamada and Tahara fields) over demands regarding their administrative transfer to the National Oil Corporation (NOC), though overall output has hovered near 1.4 million bpd.
Domestic Infrastructure & Fuel Crises
Acute power outages and severe fuel shortages continue to strain daily life in Tripoli, Benghazi, and surrounding areas. The grid issues have been exacerbated by summer heat strains, fuel distribution bottlenecks, and smuggling disruptions.
Safety & Judicial Actions
The Public Prosecution ordered the arrest of two foreign pilots accused of operating a private charter flight while intoxicated, which subsequently overran the runway and caught fire at Misrata Airport (with no casualties reported).