eu-officials-expelled-by-eastern-libya

Libya’s eastern government has expelled a European Union delegation, including the bloc’s migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Greece and Malta, accusing them of violating national sovereignty during an official visit to the country.

 

The delegation had been scheduled to meet Prime Minister Osama Hammad of the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Benghazi, after holding earlier talks in Tripoli with the rival, internationally recognised Government of National Unity (GNU), led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

 

However, upon their arrival at Benina Airport in Benghazi on Tuesday, the group’s visit was cancelled. In a statement posted on Facebook, Hammad said the delegation had failed to follow the proper diplomatic protocols for foreign officials, including entry, movement and residence procedures under Libyan law.

 

“They were duly informed of the imperative to depart Libyan territory forthwith and were declared persona non grata,” the statement read.

 

The delegation included EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri.

 

Libya has remained divided between two rival administrations since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that led to the overthrow and killing of longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

 

The country has since become a key transit point for migrants and refugees attempting to reach Europe by crossing the Mediterranean, often in perilous conditions facilitated by human trafficking networks.

 

Earlier on Tuesday, the EU officials held discussions in Tripoli with Prime Minister Dbeibah on efforts to combat illegal migration and smuggling. Dbeibah stressed that Libya is fighting criminal gangs and armed groups exploiting irregular migration and urged the international community to support the country’s efforts.

 

He said he had instructed the Interior Ministry to draft a national migration strategy that would be based on cooperation with international partners and reflect the government’s commitment to long-term solutions.

 

Dbeibah also announced plans to formalise cooperation with the EU through a new agreement aimed at improving burden-sharing and strengthening regional stability.