Al-Menfi: Libya Has Formally Requested Technical, Technological, and Legal Support from the International Criminal Court in Investigations into the Terrorist Cell That Targeted Civilian Facilities in Tripoli and Zawiya

Tripoli, September 20, 2026 (LANA) – President of the Presidential Council Mohamed Al-Menfi revealed that the Libyan state has formally submitted a request to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to obtain technical, technological, and legal support and to strengthen cooperation in the ongoing investigations into the terrorist cell that recently targeted vital civilian facilities in the capital, Tripoli, and the city of Zawiya.

In a statement received by LANA, President of the Presidential Council said that, following his review of the results of the preliminary investigations conducted by the competent institutions into the terrorist cell that recently targeted vital civilian facilities in the capital, Tripoli, and the city of Zawiya—including fuel storage tanks and power stations—as part of an extensive terrorist plan aimed at causing serious and direct damage to civilian infrastructure, affecting civilians and their right to life, and obstructing the continuity of public order and the stability of the country and its citizens, the various security agencies and the National Safety Authority, each within its respective area of responsibility, succeeded in limiting these operations and thwarting some of them, thereby preventing the losses and risks that these operations sought to cause.

Al-Menfi considered that, given the nature and gravity of these crimes and the circumstances surrounding their commission, they constitute, according to the legal assessment of the competent Libyan authorities, crimes against humanity or genocide falling within the subject-matter jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court under the Rome Statute.

He said that, in light of “this dangerous development in the nature of the conflict and the disregard for all national and humanitarian principles and values,” and given the involvement of foreign individuals holding the nationalities of states that are parties to the Rome Statute, as well as Libyans holding other nationalities and passports, and considering the gravity of the alleged plan and its impact on civilians already burdened by the difficulties of life, Libya sought to support the impartiality and transparency of the investigations, ensure that they are consistent with international law, strengthen the credibility of their findings, guarantee the principle of ending impunity, and pursue those who planned, financed, and otherwise participated in the alleged crimes.

Accordingly, the Libyan state, through official diplomatic channels, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and in coordination with the Ministry of Defense, formally submitted a request to the Office of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, based on the declaration submitted by the State of Libya pursuant to Article 12(3) of the Rome Statute, seeking technical, technological, and legal support for the competent Libyan authorities, strengthening cooperation in the ongoing investigations, and sharing the burden. This is intended to support the efforts of the national authorities in uncovering the circumstances surrounding these crimes and pursuing those responsible.

According to the statement, Libya has expressed its readiness, in light of developments in the investigations, to expand the scope of cooperation with the Office of the Prosecutor pursuant to Article 15 of the Rome Statute, including referring the relevant facts and information for consideration by the Court, particularly given the involvement of foreign parties, some of whom are nationals of states that are parties to the Rome Statute.

...(LANA)...