In 2011, after the Arab uprisings reached Libya, the nation turned away from the iron-fisted and eccentric rule of Muammar Qaddafi to become a country with great hopes but few rules.
There is nothing positive to say about the tyrannical leadership of the nation's former dictator. But his total grip on power in the country for decades and the suddenness of his departure, through popular protest and Nato intervention, created a vacuum that was soon filled by a variety of malign forces. Some originated domestically, but many came from abroad. Despite the fact that the military intervention in Libya was sanctioned by the UN, no international forces were posted to protect the country after the collapse of Qaddafi's regime.
Libyans watched as smugglers overran their country, trafficking guns, narcotics and, most tragically, people. Victims of these gangs, particularly migrants attempting to reach Europe, are vulnerable to all forms of abuse and live in appalling conditions, adding to the trauma of their already dangerous journey. Meanwhile, militias that emerged in the fight against Qaddafi became powerful players, getting salaries directly from Libya’s state budget.
Extremist groups flourish in the chaos. As ISIS's presence in Syria and Iraq waned, parts of the organisation regrouped in Libya. With no national security services to battle it, ISIS lives on in the nation largely undisturbed.
Fighting has blighted Libya for years. AFP
This threatens neighbouring states. Egypt, for example, shares a border with the country that extends over 1000 kilometres, making it extraordinarily difficult to secure. Terrorists targeting Europe continue to use Libya as a base for training and organising attacks.
The moral ambitions of Libya’s uprising were poisoned early on. Islamists quickly found a place in the Government of National Accord. Another factions were found in the rival Libyan National Army.
Egypt shares a border with the country that extends over 1000 kilometres, making it extraordinarily difficult to secure
Now, the UAE along with other powers is calling for a peaceful settlement through renewed diplomatic efforts and political solutions. Lana Nusseibeh, the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN, recently backed a Security Council call for all foreign forces to withdraw from Libya.
With so many different players involved, settling on a route to peace is not easy. Ms Nusseibeh's statement advocates securing and maintaining a ceasefire as the surest first step. She also called for the implementation of conclusions reached in last year's Berlin conference.
At that conference, 12 nations and a host of international bodies gathered to agree on a framework for stability in Libya. Its conclusions included an acknowledgement that there could never be a military solution to the crisis, the necessity of maintaining an arms embargo and the need for robust monitoring of the situation in the country.
The conference also reaffirmed the importance of a domestically led political process, something that would empower the group most marginalised by the conflict: the Libyan people. Yesterday, Libyan delegates met once again in Geneva, in an effort to choose a new executive body to help bring the country to elections next December. A stable transition of power would benefit Libyans and the world greatly.
Without international recognition that Libyan affairs rest foremost in Libyan hands, citizens of the country – 10 years on from the tyranny of Muammar Qaddafi – will be locked in the different tyranny of a failed state.
Key facilities
Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
Premier League-standard football pitch
400m Olympic running track
NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
600-seat auditorium
Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
Specialist robotics and science laboratories
AR and VR-enabled learning centres
Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
German intelligence warnings
2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250
Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution
The specs
Engine: 3.8-litre, twin-turbo V8
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Power: 582bhp
Torque: 730Nm
Price: Dh649,000
On sale: now
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
EPL's youngest
Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal) 15 years, 181 days old
Max Dowman (Arsenal) 15 years, 235 days old
Jeremy Monga (Leicester) 15 years, 271 days old
Harvey Elliott (Fulham) 16 years, 30 days old
Matthew Briggs (Fulham) 16 years, 68 days old
What is Genes in Space?
Genes in Space is an annual competition first launched by the UAE Space Agency, The National and Boeing in 2015.
It challenges school pupils to design experiments to be conducted in space and it aims to encourage future talent for the UAE’s fledgling space industry. It is the first of its kind in the UAE and, as well as encouraging talent, it also aims to raise interest and awareness among the general population about space exploration.
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.