The Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation held a Ramadan Iftar banquet at the Academy of Graduate Studies in Benghazi, in honor of the second cohort of students from the Ministry’s Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
The ceremony was attended by Libyan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Hwaij, alongside several high-ranking officials, including former Prime Minister Abdullah Abdulrahman Al-Thinni, Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energy Dr. Awad Al-Badri, Advisor to the Speaker of the House of Representatives Faisal Al-Ghaithi, President of the Academy Dr. Abdul Salam Al-Omrani, and a number of ministry staff and department heads.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Al-Hwaij extended his gratitude to the Academy’s administration for supporting the Institute and providing facilities to host its academic activities. He credited former PM Al-Thinni with the establishment of the Institute in Benghazi—a historic first in Libya—stressing the goal of promoting equitable distribution of resources and empowering youth across all Libyan regions to access opportunities in state institutions.
“We are not advocates of division, regionalism, or tribal alignments that threaten the unity of our national fabric,” Al-Hwaij said. “The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a ministry for all Libyans—regardless of region, tribe, or background. National unity and Libyan sovereignty are red lines we will never allow to be crossed.”
He also praised the sacrifices of the Libyan Arab Armed Forces, under the leadership of Commander-in-Chief Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, in liberating the country from terrorism. Al-Hwaij noted that the Sabri district, where the Academy is located, was once a stronghold for extremist groups before being reclaimed by the national army.
Dr. Al-Hwaij further commended Prime Minister of the Libyan Government-designate, Dr. Osama Hammad, for his efforts in removing obstacles and facilitating the progress of the Institute of Diplomatic Studies.
Former PM Al-Thinni also spoke at the event, praising Al-Hwaij’s leadership and the Ministry’s commitment to decentralization and inclusivity. He noted that the Institute’s establishment in Benghazi was the result of a strategic initiative to ensure access to public sector roles for Libyans across all regions, breaking away from centralization—one of the main hurdles to stability in the country.
