Libya is moving toward a closer relationship with Algeria that will affect its internal humanitarian and security crises deriving from volatile domestic politics. The Aug 10 of MajorGeneral Fawzi alMansouri, the head of the eastern Libya military intelligence service, exacerbates the scramble for external influence on the country' fractured political entities. Libya is already a battleground for competing interests among North African countries, notably Algeria and Egypt. The United States, Russia and EU, arguably the most influential actors in Libya’s security affairs in the past, are dealing with Algeria aiming to play a more dominant role in the North African region.
Algeria’s growing influence is a timely topic for the international community, especially after the Aug 10 killing of Libyan Major-General Fawzi al-Mansour in a car bomb attack in Benghazi. The assassination of the head of the eastern Libya military intelligence service was labeled a “terrorist act” by Libya’s Government of National Unity, but no group has claimed responsibility for it.
The Algerian government has been in discussions at the international level about Libya’s domestic politics and security, frequently emphasising the country’s own interests in the UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL). The UNSMIL is the sole authority governing Libya’s national politics and elections.
The February assassination of Saif al-Isalm Gaddafi, a Libyan presidential candidate at the time, raised the regional security risks. His death came nearly 15 years after the 40-year rule of his father, Muammar Gaddafi, was ended by a rebel revolt.
As Libya moves toward free elections under the guidance of UNSMIL, its relationship with Algeria is critical to regional security. The Middle East Council on Global Affairs asserts that the U.S. recalibrates its influence in Libya to boost investments in oil production and export capacity, while the European Union focuses on issues around illegal migration and human trafficking. This gives Libya’s regional neighbors, notably Algeria and Egypt, an opportunity to influence Libya’s government in favor of interests that do not necessarily align with the U.S. and EU priorities in North Africa, the Middle East Council on Global Affairs pointed out in.) a June report
Border Crossings
Secretary-General of Algeria’s Cabinet Office Lounès Mokramane met with Libyan counterparts in September 2025 to engage in discussions about the reopening of border crossings between the two countries. During those meetings, Mokramane stressed that any resolution to the Libyan crisis must be led by Libyans through democratic elections. He also expressed Algeria’s readiness to support Libya in international forums.
The Debdeb-Ghadame crossing is a point of entry along a 989-kilometre border between Algeria and Libya in the Sahara Desert. It remains closed to most commerce and travelers due to ongoing security concerns.
The Wan Abaloul border crossing between Algeria and Libya was opened in late 2024 primarily as means for Algerian and Libyan military forces to cooperate against the smuggling and organised crime networks in the Western Mountain Military Region of Algeria.
Ahmed Khaldi of the University of Djelfa-Algeria emphasised in an interview that border security is Algeria’s top priority, including to show it can handle its own problems.
“To mitigate the need for external intervention, Algeria has significantly strengthened its border security with Libya, demonstrating that regional countries can effectively manage security challenges,” he said. “Algeria has offered to share its counter-terrorism expertise with Libyan authorities, positioning this cooperation as an alternative to foreign military presence.”
The full reopening of the border crossings will be a critical factor in determining Algeria's regional security influence. Algeria is a major arms supplier to armed groups across North Africa and the Sahel region.
This full border reopening push has turned Libya into a battleground for competing interests among North African countries rather than a stage for a stable security environment. The Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Libya, Hanna Tetteh, pointed out .)during a June 18 briefing to the Security Council that “the security environment along Libya’s western coast remains precarious amid competition among armed actors engaged in trafficking illicit drugs, human trafficking and fuel smuggling."
Libya’s National Oil Corporation declared a state of emergency after an Aug. 10 drone attack destroyed a 4.5 million litre petrol storage tank at the Zawiya refinery.
“The strikes on civilian infrastructure require thorough investigation and the perpetrators must be held accountable. This has broader implications not only for Zawiya and Sorman but for the delivery of public goods and services to the wider population of the Western region of the country,” Tetteh told the UN Security Council.
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz as part of its conflict with the United States has led to a renewed economic interest in developing Libya's oil infrastructure. Egypt and Libya are reportedly close to reaching a deal.) on a $1 billion pipeline to carry oil from Tobruk to Alexandria.ur preferred Google source
