ADDS MORE REMARKS FROM MALTESE AND ITALIAN AUTHORITIES, CHANGES DECK
By Melike Pala, Muetaz Wannes and Mohammad Sio
BRUSSELS/ISTANBUL (AA) - Libya's eastern-based government declared a European ministerial delegation “persona non grata” on Tuesday.
In a statement, the parallel government, led by Osama Hammad, said it scrapped a visit to Benghazi city by the interior ministers of Italy, Greece and Malta and the EU commissioner for migration due to “violations.”
The statement said their visit was canceled upon the delegation’s arrival at Benina International Airport in Benghazi, notifying them that they are “persona non grata” and must leave Libyan territory immediately.
The government did not specify the nature of the violations, referring only to what it called a “blatant breach of diplomatic norms and international conventions” and “actions that demonstrated a lack of respect for Libyan national sovereignty.”
It also accused the delegation of “violating Libyan law” and failing to follow the required procedures for the entry, movement and residency of foreign diplomats.
The statement urged diplomats and members of international and non-governmental organizations “to respect Libyan sovereignty by adhering to the country's laws and the international protocols governing diplomatic visits.”
It emphasized the importance of reciprocal treatment in foreign relations in line with international agreements and diplomatic conventions.
Libya has continued to face political division between two rival governments since 2022: the internationally recognized administration of Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli, and a parallel government led by Osama Hammad based in Benghazi, supported by the eastern-based parliament which governs the east and much of the south.
The UN continues to mediate efforts to unify governance and hold national elections in the country.
- 'A matter of protocol'
Maltese Interior Minister Byron Camilleri said on Facebook that he had returned to Malta after a day in Libya as part of the European delegation, which included EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner as well as the interior ministers of Italy and Greece.
He described the meetings held in Tripoli with the Libyan prime minister and the ministers of interior and labor as positive, adding that "unfortunately, the meeting scheduled in Benghazi was cancelled following a protocol issue between the local authorities and the EU Embassy in Libya."
According to Italy's ANSA news agency, qualified sources said the cancellation stemmed from "a protocol misunderstanding not managed by the Italian representation" and did not concern bilateral relations with Italy.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani told reporters that he would speak with Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi to clarify the circumstances surrounding the incident.