Latest news with #OsamaHamad
Al Arabiya
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
EU migration commissioner denied entry to Libya over ‘protocol issue'
The European Union's migration commissioner was barred from entering eastern Libya because of a 'protocol issue', an EU spokesperson said on Wednesday. In addition to EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, ministers from Italy, Malta, and Greece were also denied entry. 'What happened in Benghazi was there was a protocol issue. This is why it was not possible to carry out the planned meetings,' EU spokesperson Markus Lammert told the EU's daily press briefing. 'The EU will maintain open channels of communication and we will continue working in a Team Europe approach with all actors involved.' The delegation had arrived at Benghazi airport to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after meeting the internationally recognized government that controls the west of Libya. The EU mission in the country centered around 'the recent increase of irregular arrivals from Libya,' Lammert said. On Monday, the Hamad government warned that all foreign visitors and diplomats must get prior approval before entering or travelling within Libya. Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has been on a route for migrants heading to Europe. Factional conflict has divided the country since 2014.
TimesLIVE
09-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Libya's eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration delegation
The EU migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece were denied entry to the eastern part of divided Libya on Tuesday as they had disregarded "Libyan national sovereignty", the Benghazi-based government said. The delegation had arrived to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after a meeting with the rival, internationally recognised government that controls the west of Libya. The delegation included: EU internal affairs and migration commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek migration and asylum minister Thanos Plevris, Italian interior minister Matteo Piantedosi and Maltese home affairs minister Byron Camilleri. The Benghazi-based government said the visit was cancelled upon the delegation's arrival at Benghazi airport whereupon the ministers were declared persona non grata and told to leave Libyan territory immediately.
Arab News
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya's eastern-based government bars entry of EU migration commissioner, three ministers
TRIPOLI: The European Union migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta and Greece were denied entry to the eastern part of divided Libya on Tuesday as they had disregarded 'Libyan national sovereignty,' the Benghazi-based government said. The delegation had arrived to attend a meeting with the parallel government of Osama Hamad, allied to military commander Khalifa Haftar who controls the east and large areas of southern Libya, shortly after a meeting with the rival, internationally recognized government that controls the west of Libya. The delegation included EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek Migration and Asylum minister Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and Maltese Home Affairs Minister Byron Camilleri. The Benghazi-based government said the visit was canceled upon the delegation's arrival at Benghazi airport whereupon the ministers were declared persona non grata and told to leave Libyan territory immediately. Members of the European delegation did not immediately respond to Reuters requests for comment. The Hamad government had said on Monday all foreign visitors and diplomatic missions should not come to Libya and move inside the country without its prior permission. Earlier in the day, the EU delegation had met in Tripoli with the UN-recognized government of Abdulhamid Dbiebah to discuss the migration crisis before flying to Benghazi. Libya has become a transit route for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the Mediterranean since the fall in 2011 of dictator Muammar Qaddafi to a NATO-backed uprising. Factional conflict has split the country since 2014. Dbeibah said during the meeting he had tasked his interior ministry with developing a national plan to tackle migration 'based on practical cooperation with partners and reflecting a clear political will to build sustainable solutions.'
Libya Observer
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Hamad restricts movement of international missions after UN criticism of Reconstruction Fund
The Prime Minister of the eastern-based parallel government in Libya, Osama Hamad, has issued a decree banning the movement and activities of international missions and diplomats within Libyan territory unless prior coordination is made with official authorities and approval is obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The decision specifically targets the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), restricting the movements of its head, staff, and members in areas controlled by forces loyal to Khalifa Haftar. It follows Hamad's call for the mission to leave the country immediately, accusing it of bias toward the Tripoli-based authorities, overlooking their violations, and undermining national will and deepening internal division. These measures were taken in response to a recent briefing by UN envoy Hanna Tetteh before the UN Security Council. In her address, Tetteh criticized the Libyan House of Representatives for approving a 69-billion Libyan dinar budget for the Development and Reconstruction Fund, which is managed by Belqasim Haftar, the son of Khalifa Haftar. Tags: parallel Government
Libya Observer
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
Hammad government accuses UN mission of 'deliberately distorting' people's demands
The eastern-based interim government led by Osama Hamad responded to a UN mission statement on recent protests in Libya, accusing it of deliberately misrepresenting popular demands, making irresponsible accusations, and manipulating international opinion in a way that does not reflect the reality on the ground. The government said the protests were a natural expression of growing public anger over the UN mission's performance, which it claimed had failed to achieve tangible progress for over a decade and, intentionally or not, contributed to the complexity of Libya's crisis. In its statement, Hammad's government rejected what it called the mission's portrayal of the protests as a conspiracy or incitement to violence, stressing this depiction misrepresents the truth. It added that the UN mission's transgressions have become clear, especially in relation to state security, sovereignty, and direct interference in internal affairs. The government called on the mission to respect its mandate and refrain from overstepping its role. This response followed a UN statement expressing concern over alleged incitement by political figures encouraging protesters to engage in unlawful acts against the mission. The UN reaffirmed its full respect for the right to peaceful protest and its willingness to engage in a Libyan-led political process. The Hammad government urged the mission to maintain neutrality and professionalism and avoid undermining the legitimate demands of the Libyan people, while the UN continues monitoring developments closely. Tags: parallel Government UNSMIL protest
