Libya Bars European Officials

(MENAFN) Libya's eastern government has denied entry to the European Union's migration commissioner and ministers from Italy, Malta, and Greece, accusing them of breaching the country’s sovereignty.

The group had been scheduled to meet with the Government of National Stability (GNS) in Benghazi, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, after previously holding discussions with the rival, internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli.

Upon their arrival at Benina Airport in Benghazi on Tuesday, however, the EU officials’ visit was abruptly canceled.

“Along with their accompanying delegation, the visit was rescinded,” stated Hammad in a post on Facebook.

He explained that the delegation had failed to comply with the “stipulated procedures governing the entry, movement, and residency of foreign diplomatic personnel,” which are mandated by Libyan law.

The delegation included EU Internal Affairs and Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner, Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, Italian Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi, and Maltese Minister for Home Affairs Byron Camilleri.

Hammad further clarified that the officials were instructed to leave Libyan soil immediately and were declared "persona non grata."

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