11th January 2018 Tripoli, Libya
We have known each other for two and a half years. But the time has come for me to leave. As Juliet said to Romeo: “Parting is such sweet sorrow.” It is hard to say goodbye, but I have to move on. Getting to know you has always been a pleasure. Though it hasn’t been […]
1st December 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Nelson Mandela once said: “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” Weapon against what? Multiple enemies: ignorance, lack of opportunity, poverty. A poor education system will produce people who lack the skills that employers are looking for. So they will fail to find jobs and will be unable to […]
8th November 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Corruption is the scourge of countries trying to lift themselves out of poverty. Around the world, politicians and officials are putting their hands in the till and stealing their country’s wealth. Their actions benefit narrow, powerful elites by allowing them to cream off cash and benefits and favour their friends, family and fellow felons. Their […]
8th October 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Last month the world’s leaders gathered in New York. The agenda included many pressing issues: North Korea, Burma, Modern Slavery. It also included a high-level event on Libya. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres opened the meeting by underlining its historic importance. There was a window of opportunity to resolve the crisis in Libya by […]
11th September 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Two weeks ago we arranged a visit to Libya by our Foreign Secretary, Boris Johnson. We went to Tripoli, Misrata and Benghazi. This followed a visit in May, when he visited Tripoli and Tobruq. These visits involve careful planning and a lot of preparation. Working with colleagues in London and with the Libyan authorities, we […]
2nd August 2017 Tripoli, Libya
I had coffee the other day in Algeria Square in central Tripoli. I was passing by and was invited to sit with a group of men who kindly offered me some local coffee. It was a good opportunity to escape from the heat of the sun and hear their thoughts. On Saturday I was in […]
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4th July 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Last week I had the opportunity to visit Kairouan, a Tunisian city that has been a centre of scholarship and Islamic science for hundreds of years. With some of the scholars, we talked about tolerance and co-existence, values that the city and its university have been promoting for generations. The city was founded in 670 […]
13th June 2017 Tripoli, Libya
The United Kingdom went to the polls last week. Over 32 million people voted for 3,304 candidates for the 650 seats in the House of Commons. This turnout was higher than in previous elections: 68.7% of registered voters went to their polling station, including 72% of young people; the latter figure up from 40% in […]
31st March 2017 Tripoli, Libya
Social media is a global phenomenon. 1.8 billion people worldwide are on Facebook; 317 million use Twitter; Youtube has more viewers than most TV stations. It has become a powerful political tool too. World leaders use social media to broadcast their views. After last week’s terrorist attack in London, Prime Minister Theresa May used Facebook […]
30th January 2017 Tripoli, Libya
“Location, location, location” is a favourite slogan of estate agents. If you’re buying a house or a flat, the location is crucial. Is it close to shops, transport, schools? Is it quiet and peaceful? And who are the neighbours? Location is equally important in international politics. Geography defines the nation. If there are mountains, invasion […]