Libya

Libya is a country in North Africa, bordered by the Mediterranean Sea. Its capital is Tripoli. The population is approximately 7.5 million, and its economy depends heavily on oil and gas; international financial institutions estimate that petroleum makes up a large share of total output.

Since the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011, Libya has lacked a single government controlling the entire country. From 2014 onward, there have been two competing administrations: one based in Tripoli, recognized by the United Nations, and one based in the east and south, supported by the House of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwwab) and military forces led by Khalifa Haftar. Attempts to hold nationwide elections have been postponed several times.

Political structure

In the west, the Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah, operates from Tripoli, with consultation from the High State Council. In the east, the Tobruk parliament and another administration exercise power. This division has affected state institutions such as the Central Bank and security agencies.

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced in August 2025 a three-pillar roadmap: enforceable election legislation, institutional unification into a single state, and broad national dialogue covering government, security, economy, and reconciliation. The Security Council endorsed this roadmap.

In April 2026, the two administrations reached agreement on a unified national budget—the first in over a decade. Countries including the United States, Egypt, France, Italy, Turkey, Qatar, and the UAE issued a joint statement on 11 April.

Economy and oil

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported that on 21 June 2026 crude oil production reached approximately 1.44 million barrels per day, and including condensate (light oil extracted from natural gas) stood at approximately 1.49 million barrels—the highest level in nearly thirteen years. The NOC stated its target is 1.6 million barrels by end of 2026.

The World Bank assessed that Libya's economy grew at a strong rate in 2025, following contraction in 2024 caused by disputes over Central Bank management that disrupted oil output. Dependence on hydrocarbons makes the economy highly vulnerable to commodity price swings and disruptions at oil facilities.

Migration and humanitarian affairs

Libya is a transit hub for migration across the central Mediterranean. The International Organization for Migration's Displacement Tracking Matrix estimated that between January and February 2026, the country hosted 936,134 migrants, most from North Africa (56%) and West Africa (28%). By 16 May 2026, IOM reported that 6,811 migrants had been returned to Libya, while 822 were reported dead or missing.

Security situation

Security is not unified: local armed groups govern territories and institutions, and there is no agreed national plan for disarmament and reintegration (DDR). Reports by the UN Secretary-General to the Security Council indicate that UNSMIL activities have focused largely on confidence-building measures among security actors.