This is a decision, according to government sources, stemming from "reorganizing the entry activities of foreigners into Libya".
Citizens of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia are prohibited from entering Libyan territory through all land, sea and air border gates," according to a parallel government decree in Benghazi, Libya's second largest city.
The exemption decision for members of recognized diplomatic and consular missions, along with their relatives from the above 4 countries. The ban also exempts workers in the education, health and related health services sectors, provided they are approved and have valid labor contracts from authorities.
Mr. Osama Hamad's government based in Benghazi is an ally of military commander Khalifa Haftar, who controls the east and many large areas in southern Libya. Meanwhile, the internationally recognized government of Mr. Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who came to power through a United Nations-sponsored process in 2021, is headquartered in Tripoli.
