Libya’s eastern authorities, backed by Khalifa Haftar, expelled a high-level European Union delegation on Tuesday, 8 July, declaring its members persona non grata, according to sources quoted by Euronews.
The delegation, which included the EU Commissioner for Migration, Magnus Brunner, and the Interior Ministers of Italy, Greece, and Malta, was denied entry upon arrival at Benina Airport in Benghazi, following a direct order from the eastern government, led by Osama Hammad.
The expulsion, reportedly triggered by an unspecified “violation of diplomatic conventions”, marks a serious diplomatic rift and underscores the deepening tensions between Libya’s rival administrations — the UN-recognised government in Tripoli and the eastern-based authorities allied with Haftar.
This latest incident reflects growing estrangement between Benghazi and the EU, and a shift in Libya’s east toward closer ties with Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
The European Union, which has been heavily engaged in migration control and stabilisation efforts in Libya, finds itself increasingly marginalised in the east. The diplomatic standoff also complicates UN-led mediation efforts and casts doubt on prospects for reviving a unified electoral process in the divided country.
The migration issue remains particularly sensitive, with increasing numbers of departures from Libyan shores bound for Europe — notably Crete and Gavdos — raising concern in Athens and Brussels.
MK/ac/lb/as/APA