The Prime Minister of the Libyan Parliament-designated government, Osama Hammad, directed security agency’s to “prevent members of foreign diplomatic missions and international organisations from entering or moving within areas under the government’s control, without prior approval.”
The government issued a circular to relevant ministries, instructing them to “take immediate measures and inform their respective departments.”
These measures include “prohibiting members of foreign diplomatic missions and representatives of regional and international organisations from entering Libyan territories, moving and traveling within cities under the control of the Libyan government, or meeting with representatives of governmental entities and public institutions.”
Additionally, “any activities undertaken by these individuals, regardless of their nature, must be authorised and approved by the Prime Minister’s office or the authorised entities in accordance with the law.”
The statement also stressed that “permits or approvals issued by the expired Government of National Unity (GNU) should not be considered valid. Following the confidence granted to the Libyan government by the Libyan Parliament, the expired government no longer holds legal authority in this matter.”
Last month, Hammad raised concerns regarding the “unrestricted movement of certain foreign diplomats in Libya, under governmental jurisdiction, without obtaining the necessary permissions from relevant authorities.”
In an official statement, the government revealed it has been “observing certain individuals and foreign diplomatic and non-diplomatic organisations freely roaming within cities and villages, in the south and east, without securing approval from the Libyan government. Instead, these entities have merely been coordinating with the outgoing government.” This is in reference to the internationally recognised, and Tripoli-based, GNU.
The government remarked that “such actions are contradictory to diplomatic and political norms, practised both locally and internationally, and infringe on our national sovereignty.”
Standing firm on the principle of sovereignty, the Libyan government issued a warning to all political figures, diplomats, missions, and international institutions to “refrain from entering or roaming in Libyan cities, or conducting any meetings or activities of any kind or purpose, without acquiring the necessary permits from the Libyan government.” It affirmed that it would not “hesitate to take all necessary legal and security measures against those violating these warnings, including the application of the law in a deterrent and firm manner, which could extend to requesting the lifting of immunity for those subject to accountability.”
The government appealed to all relevant entities, including the internal security apparatus, intelligence agencies, and security directorates in cities, to “take all necessary security measures to ensure the preservation of the security of the Libyan state, and the integrity of its territories.” It also urged these entities to “deal firmly with anyone infringing upon Libyan sovereignty with such actions, and to take all necessary measures in this regard.”
Concluding its statement, it stressed that it “remains committed to international and diplomatic norms, treaties, and protocols.” It expressed its “eagerness to maintain friendships and partnerships with all countries and international institutions. As long as these relationships align with international principles and norms that ensure respect for state sovereignty, and in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.”
