The Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, has categorically denied reports of an alleged secret agreement to resettle hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Libya in exchange for political or economic concessions.
A senior source close to the LNA’s General Command in eastern Libya told Asharq Al-Awsat on Sunday that these claims are “fabricated, false, and aimed at damaging the reputation of the leadership while inciting division within Libya.”
The source warned that “certain parties” are seeking to ignite unrest but stressed that the LNA has always welcomed Palestinians as guests in their “second homeland” without engaging in such alleged deals.
Khalifa Al-Obeidi, media officer in Haftar’s office, also dismissed the reports as “baseless,” reiterating the Army’s “firm and unwavering stance” in support of the Palestinian cause and legitimate rights. He said any claims of political arrangements or concessions tied to resettlement were “intended to mislead public opinion and spread dangerous disinformation.”
The speculation intensified after Israeli Agriculture Minister Avi Dichter labeled Libya as an “ideal destination” for relocating up to 1.5 million Palestinians from Gaza, suggesting it could bring economic benefits to Libya.
Italian news agency Nova reported that parts of the plan might have backing from the United States and mediation from Turkey, involving large-scale logistical operations with thousands of flights and dozens of ships. The LNA source firmly rejected all such claims.
The US Embassy in Libya has also denied the existence of any such plan, calling it “provocative and completely false” following the July visit of senior US adviser Masad Boulos to Libya. Earlier in May, the embassy dismissed a similar NBC News report as “entirely untrue.”
Libya’s House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee condemned the “insertion of Libya” into any relocation schemes for Gaza’s population, calling the claims “unacceptable” and warning against attempts to use Libya in controversial population-transfer projects.
Both the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and the eastern-based government appointed by the House of Representatives have publicly rejected any forced resettlement of Palestinians in Libya. They stressed that such moves would alter the demographic makeup of Palestinian territories, contravene international law, and undermine Palestinian rights.
Both administrations reaffirmed Libya’s full commitment to supporting the Palestinian people and their inalienable rights, stressing that the country will not be party to any relocation plans under any circumstances.
