On Monday, the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Ageela Saleh, condemned the Government of National Unity’s (GNU) decision to expel Egyptian intelligence officials stationed at the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli. Saleh labeled the move as reckless and unrepresentative of the Libyan people’s true sentiments.
Saleh criticised the GNU—headed by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbaiba—as an “expired government” whose actions jeopardize the longstanding and close relations between Libya and Egypt. He stressed that these historical ties should not be undermined by temporary political disputes.
The expulsion order underscores the deepening rift between Libya’s rival governments. The Parliament, based in Tobruk, has established a parallel government in the east, with Osama Hammad as its Prime Minister.
Hammad’s recent visit to Cairo, where he was officially received by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, further fueled tensions. The discussions in Cairo, which included talks on involving Egyptian companies in Libya’s reconstruction, angered the GNU and led to the current diplomatic clash.
In a strong response, the GNU’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Egypt’s official reception of Hammad, describing it as a breach of the international consensus aimed at preventing Libya’s return to conflict and division. The GNU emphasized its commitment to balanced international relations, particularly with Egypt, to avoid deepening the country’s internal divisions.
Conversely, the eastern government’s foreign ministry defended Egypt’s actions and criticised the GNU for overstepping its authority. The ministry praised Egypt for its ongoing support and highlighted the warm welcome given to Hammad and his delegation in Cairo.
The ministry also pointed to the security situation in Tripoli, describing it as “unstable” and called for embassies to be relocated to Benghazi, which it claimed is a safer and more stable area.
This diplomatic dispute sheds light on the broader power struggle that has plagued Libya since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country remains divided, with the GNU controlling the west, including the capital Tripoli, while the HoR-backed government dominates the east.
