European Delegation's Visit to Libya Canceled Amidst Diplomatic Tensions

On Tuesday, a planned visit to Libya by the interior ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta, along with the European Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner from Austria, was abruptly canceled. The cancellation occurred when the local government at Benina Airport near Benghazi declared members of the delegation persona non grata, a diplomatic term signaling that individuals are unwelcome. The specifics regarding whether this designation applied to the entire delegation or just certain members remain unclear. Libya's political landscape is currently divided, featuring two competing governments. The government in Tripoli, which has international backing, is not involved in the recent developments. The ban on entry was issued by the eastern government led by General Khalifa Haftar, compelling the delegation to turn back. The ministers involved included Matteo Piantedosi from Italy, Thanos Plevris from Greece, and Byron Camilleri from Malta. Prime Minister Osama Hammad of the eastern government accused the visitors of breaching national laws and failing to follow entry protocols established for foreign diplomats. The statement highlighted a significant violation of diplomatic customs, though the details of this breach remain hazy, with reports suggesting a protocol misunderstanding attributed to the Italian representation. However, Piantedosi himself is believed not to be at fault in this regard. The delegation had arrived in Benghazi after meeting with representatives from the internationally acknowledged Tripoli government, where discussions focused on immigration issues and the enforcement of restrictions on departures from Libya’s coastline. Additionally, a meeting was scheduled with the eastern government’s interior minister to address similar topics. The European Commission has confirmed that it is reviewing communication from the Benghazi government regarding the incident. Currently, Piantedosi has returned to Rome and is expected to address the situation publicly soon. Historically, General Haftar’s government has maintained favorable relations with the Italian government, obtaining political legitimacy through this partnership over the years. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2