Access the latest Triton Scout Maritime Security Threat Assessment for the week commencing Monday 27th December. 

The highly anticipated Libyan presidential elections scheduled for December 24th were postponed due to unresolved disputes over the legal and constitutional basis for the election and disagreements over the eligibility of highly divisive candidates. Whilst the electoral body has proposed a plan to delay elections for another month, it is unclear whether rival bodies will accept the proposal. This development has been contextualised by escalating tensions within the state. Earlier this week, the National Oil Corp declared a force majeure on crude oil exports from the Zawia and Mellitah terminals when a militant arm of the Petroleum Facilities Guard disrupted oil supply at the Sharara, El Feel, Hamada and Wafa oilfields.

In addition, there has been military mobilisation and roadblocks in Shara’as Al Zawiya and Bab Benghashir as well as in Ain Zara and Khallet Al-Furjan. The postponement of the elections and the mobilisation of militias raises the concern that heightened tensions may lead to clashes in the state. Developments in Libya should be monitored closely.

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