Egypt has repatriated 131 citizens from Tripoli following coordinated efforts between the Egyptian Embassy in the Libyan capital and the relevant Libyan authorities, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Emigration, and Egyptian Expatriates announced on Thursday. The operation forms part of the government’s broader strategy to safeguard Egyptians abroad, in line with directives issued by Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty.
Assistant Foreign Minister for Consular Affairs Haddad Abdel Tawab El-Gohary confirmed that the latest return flight adds to a growing number of successful repatriation efforts. Since the start of the year, a total of 1,132 Egyptian nationals have been returned from Tripoli and western Libya, while more than 1,500 have been repatriated from Benghazi and eastern Libya.
The ministry urged Egyptian citizens to follow all legal and official procedures when travelling to neighbouring countries. It also warned against engaging with illegal migration networks, which it said pose severe risks and frequently leave individuals vulnerable to exploitation and arrest.
The latest operation comes amid unstable security conditions in Tripoli. In July, Libyan authorities detained around 1,500 undocumented migrant workers of various nationalities during a raid east of the capital, according to AFP. Those detained reportedly lacked residency permits, passports, and health documentation. Hundreds of the apprehended migrants were believed to be Egyptians or individuals from sub-Saharan Africa.
Libya has been plagued by political fragmentation since the 2011 uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains split between a UN-recognised government in western Libya and a rival administration in the east, with periodic clashes erupting between armed groups vying for influence.
In May, heightened tensions in Tripoli prompted the Egyptian Foreign Ministry to activate an operations room to monitor developments and assist citizens on the ground. Egypt continues to stress the importance of a Libyan-led political settlement and the withdrawal of all foreign fighters, arguing that such steps are essential for restoring lasting stability.