Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdelhadi Al-Hwaij, met on Wednesday in Benghazi with the Director of the Consular Affairs Office in Sebha to discuss steps to improve the office’s performance and expand its services in southern Libya.
The meeting focused on enhancing the efficiency and professionalism of the Sebha office, which plays a critical role in providing consular services across a vast region. Al-Hwaij emphasized the need to strengthen the skills of the staff by organizing specialized training programs in core consular areas, particularly protocol and administrative procedures. The goal, he said, is to ensure consistent, high-quality service for citizens in the south.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining strict financial oversight and adhering to official procedures for processing fees, particularly those related to document authentication. He referenced the state-approved model (M-H-5) issued by the General Treasury, noting that transparency and compliance are essential to maintaining public trust.
Al-Hwaij reaffirmed the strategic importance of the Sebha consular office, given the geographic scope it covers and the challenges faced by residents in remote areas. He confirmed that the ministry is working to speed up the completion of a new headquarters for the Sebha office, along with a regional branch of the Diplomatic Studies Institute, which will support training and development for consular staff in the south.
The minister emphasized that expanding the ministry’s footprint outside major cities is part of a broader effort to promote decentralization, equal access to services, and institutional reform. Improving the Sebha office is seen as a model for strengthening consular presence in underserved regions across Libya.