Libya

Libya made no progress in survey or clearance of anti-personnel (AP) mined area in 2023. The focus of demining has shifted towards battle area clearance (BAC). AP mine incidents were, however, reported in 2024. The so-called Libyan National Army (LNA) ordered the suspension of three national and international mine action organisations operating in Benghazi and Sirt and seized vehicles and demining equipment, leading to the halt of activities and closure of offices. Since then, the Libyan Mine Action Centre (LibMAC) has been in dialogue with relevant authorities with a view to enabling operations to resume. The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) and the international community have also advocated for the return of mine action activities. In July 2024, the Criminal Investigation Department-East released the assets seized and provided verbal permission for mine action organisations to resume activities in the east.

Libya has made little progress over the last five years towards release of all mined areas in the country. Limited capacity and funding and ongoing instability and violence across the country have proved formidable obstacles to mine clearance. The only mine clearance has been in spot task explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) operations, with a total of 10 AP mines reported as having been destroyed since 2019. Earlier estimates of significant contamination have not been repeated in recent years.

• Libya should accede to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) as a matter of priority.
• The LNA should allow mine action operators to operate in the east and return all equipment and vehicles that has been seized from them.
• Libya should conduct a national baseline survey to identify the extent of AP mine contamination and begin systematic clearance based on humanitarian priorities.

Click here to download the "Clearing the Mines 2024" report for Libya.