After 12 years without a mission in Tripoli, Egypt brought its diplomatic presence back to Libya’s capital on Saturday as the country remained split between rival political centers in the west and east.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty led the ceremony, while Libya’s acting Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour attended, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said. The ministry said Abdelatty expressed thanks to Libya’s state institutions for work on the embassy’s upkeep and renovation. He also discussed its place in Tripoli’s diplomatic history and ties between Egypt and Libya.
Reuters reported that Egypt has been among the most prominent supporters of eastern commander Khalifa Haftar. The outlet characterized the embassy’s return as a rapprochement with Libya’s western administration.
The internationally recognized Government of National Unity, headed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and the High Council of State are based in Tripoli, Reuters reported. Benghazi is home to Haftar’s Libyan National Army, the House of Representatives and an eastern government led by Osama Hammad.
Egypt closed its Tripoli embassy in 2014 amid an escalating conflict that also prompted many foreign missions to shut, Reuters reported. Libya has been in turmoil since a NATO-backed uprising toppled Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, the outlet said.
