The First Deputy Speaker of Libya’s House of Representatives, Fawzi Al-Nuwairi, has warned against foreign interference in sovereign institutions, following a meeting between the U.S. Ambassador and the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL).
In an official statement, Al-Nuwairi reaffirmed Libya’s sovereignty and the independence of its national institutions. He emphasized that no external party should influence the country’s internal affairs, particularly institutions like the Central Bank, whose board of directors was lawfully appointed.
Concerns Over Diplomatic Boundaries
Al-Nuwairi’s statement strongly criticized foreign envoys meeting with officials from Libya’s sovereign institutions outside established diplomatic frameworks. “When any foreign ambassador engages with sovereign institution officials outside recognized diplomatic norms, it raises serious questions about their motives and consequences. This is unacceptable, as it breaches diplomatic conventions and constitutes interference in Libya’s internal affairs,” he stated.
He further pointed out that no Libyan ambassador has ever held meetings with the governor of a foreign central bank, describing such actions as a “dangerous precedent that must be firmly addressed.”
Foreign Interventions Are a “Political Illusion”
Al-Nuwairi warned Libyan politicians against relying on foreign interventions, stating that no foreign diplomat has successfully protected any Libyan official over the years. He argued that expecting external interference to resolve Libya’s challenges is a political illusion that weakens national institutions and threatens stability.
Libya’s Sovereignty Must Be Upheld
The statement also emphasized that while UN Security Council resolutions influence Libya’s political landscape, they do not diminish the country’s sovereignty. “The will of the Libyan people and the decisions of their institutions remain the decisive factor in shaping the nation’s future, free from any form of external control or unjustified intervention,” it read.
Al-Nuwairi urged all Libyan state institutions to uphold the independence of their decisions and reject any form of foreign oversight or influence to preserve national sovereignty. He also called on Libyan citizens to oppose any interference that could compromise the integrity and stability of the country’s institutions.
UN Mission’s Limited Role
Concluding his statement, Al-Nuwairi clarified the role of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), stating that it is solely a support and advisory body. He stressed that UNSMIL has no executive or sovereign authority within Libya and must strictly adhere to its designated mandate without interfering in state decisions or institutions.
