In a significant meeting during the 79th session of the UN General Assembly, Libya's Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour engaged with US Special Envoy to Libya Richard Norland and Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Josh Harris on September 28, 2024. The discussions centered around the political and economic developments in Libya, emphasizing the need for international support to enhance stability and fulfill the aspirations of the Libyan people. Concerns regarding unilateral actions in Libya were also raised, reflecting the complexities of the current political climate [af345fd1].
This meeting underscores the ongoing international efforts to address Libya's political situation, following a previous meeting between the Spanish Ambassador to Libya, Javier Soria Quintana, and Richard Norland, which focused on the UN-sponsored process aimed at stabilizing the country [2e01780e].
In addition to these diplomatic engagements, US lobbying firm Mercury Public Affairs has been actively lobbying Secretary of State Antony Blinken on behalf of Farhat Bengdara, the Chairman of Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC). This lobbying effort is driven by concerns over Russian expansion in Libya, particularly as Russia's military presence in the eastern region has attracted Russian oil firms. Mercury Public Affairs has urged Blinken to protect the independence of the NOC and its chairman, emphasizing the crucial role of Bengdara in maintaining stability in Libya [b0fa3de2].
Meanwhile, in the United States, Simon Ekpa, leader of the Autopilot faction of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and self-styled Prime Minister of the Biafra Republic Government In-Exile (BRGIE), has signed a lobbying deal worth $130,000 with Moran Global Strategies (MGS). This contract aims to facilitate advocacy and strategic engagement with key stakeholders in Washington, D.C., to garner support for Biafra's secession from Nigeria. The deal is set to run from June 15, 2024, to June 14, 2025, with MGS tasked with educating US and international stakeholders on issues related to the Nigerian government, including human rights abuses and security concerns [44f00559].
These developments illustrate the growing international attention and support for various causes, with both Libya and Biafra seeking to engage with influential stakeholders to influence US policy towards their respective situations [b0fa3de2] [44f00559].