Former Diplomat Urges Stronger Libyan Response to US Travel Ban
Adel Issa, Libya's former ambassador to Ukraine, has criticised the lack of an official diplomatic reaction to the travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump, which included Libya among 12 countries restricted from entering the United States.
Writing on Facebook, Issa argued that the Libyan government at the time failed to act in defense of its citizens or to respond through appropriate diplomatic channels. He noted that while Libya recognizes the global influence of the United States, that should not have prevented it from asserting its sovereign right to respond.
'America is the most powerful country on Earth after the will of God,' he wrote, 'but this power does not negate the right of other nations to respond when their sovereignty or the rights of their citizens are compromised.'
Issa outlined several diplomatic steps that could have been taken, such as summoning the US ambassador in Tripoli for clarification, issuing public statements, sending a special envoy to Washington, and seeking international dialogue to ease tensions or reverse the decision.
'These are common tools of diplomacy, especially in sensitive situations involving major powers,' he said. 'They are not only a means to protect national dignity, but also to maintain balanced relations based on mutual respect.'
He added that the lack of any such response was even more troubling given the public narrative that Libyan-American relations were 'at their best' in recent years. 'Ironically, we're supposedly enjoying good relations with the US, yet we remain on their travel blacklist without any explanation or effort to remove us.'
Issa's remarks point to a broader concern: that Libya's foreign policy has been reactive rather than proactive, and that the interests of Libyan citizens abroad, especially in matters of international mobility and diplomacy, have not been adequately protected. Tags: libyaTravel BanTrumpUkraine
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
10 hours ago
- Libya Review
Libya's Parliament Speaker Praises Reconstruction Fund's Unprecedented Achievements
Libyan Speaker of the House of Representatives, Ageela Saleh, praised the accomplishments of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund during a meeting held to mark Eid al-Adha. The meeting was attended by the Fund's Director General, Belgassem Haftar, and the Prime Minister of the Libyan government, Osama Hammad. According to an official statement issued by the Fund, the discussion focused on reviewing completed and ongoing development projects across several Libyan cities, with attention to future initiatives planned for the months ahead. During the meeting, Ageela Saleh commended the Fund's work, describing its achievements as 'unprecedented' and emphasizing their significant impact on multiple Libyan regions. He noted that the Fund's efforts have contributed to job creation, infrastructure upgrades, and urban renewal — outcomes that are crucial for restoring stability and improving daily life in war-affected communities. The Speaker reaffirmed his full support for the Development and Reconstruction Fund, stressing the need to maintain transparency and ensure balanced implementation of projects throughout the country. He called for continued cooperation between national institutions to align reconstruction efforts with public needs and long-term growth goals. Haftar and his team reiterated their commitment to executing the Fund's projects efficiently and to the highest standards. The leadership affirmed that work would continue across housing, healthcare, transport, and public service sectors in line with the development framework endorsed by parliament.
Libya Review
10 hours ago
- Libya Review
Former Diplomat Urges Stronger Libyan Response to US Travel Ban
Adel Issa, Libya's former ambassador to Ukraine, has criticised the lack of an official diplomatic reaction to the travel ban imposed by US President Donald Trump, which included Libya among 12 countries restricted from entering the United States. Writing on Facebook, Issa argued that the Libyan government at the time failed to act in defense of its citizens or to respond through appropriate diplomatic channels. He noted that while Libya recognizes the global influence of the United States, that should not have prevented it from asserting its sovereign right to respond. 'America is the most powerful country on Earth after the will of God,' he wrote, 'but this power does not negate the right of other nations to respond when their sovereignty or the rights of their citizens are compromised.' Issa outlined several diplomatic steps that could have been taken, such as summoning the US ambassador in Tripoli for clarification, issuing public statements, sending a special envoy to Washington, and seeking international dialogue to ease tensions or reverse the decision. 'These are common tools of diplomacy, especially in sensitive situations involving major powers,' he said. 'They are not only a means to protect national dignity, but also to maintain balanced relations based on mutual respect.' He added that the lack of any such response was even more troubling given the public narrative that Libyan-American relations were 'at their best' in recent years. 'Ironically, we're supposedly enjoying good relations with the US, yet we remain on their travel blacklist without any explanation or effort to remove us.' Issa's remarks point to a broader concern: that Libya's foreign policy has been reactive rather than proactive, and that the interests of Libyan citizens abroad, especially in matters of international mobility and diplomacy, have not been adequately protected. Tags: libyaTravel BanTrumpUkraine
Libya Review
12 hours ago
- Libya Review
Over 100 Italian Companies to Attend Libya Investment Forum in Benghazi
Benghazi is preparing to host a major Libyan-Italian Economic Forum from June 24 to 27, signaling renewed interest among Italian companies in investing in eastern Libya. Organized by the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Libya's Reconstruction and Development Fund, headed by Belgassem Haftar, the forum comes just after Libya's House of Representatives approved a long-awaited development budget. According to Nicola Colicchi, president of the Italian-Libyan Chamber of Commerce, the event reflects growing economic confidence in the region. Despite ongoing instability in western Libya, he noted that eastern Libya is offering a more stable environment for investment. Colicchi, a seasoned entrepreneur with deep knowledge of Libya's markets, emphasized that Italian goods and services remain highly valued in the country. Italian participation is expected to be broad, with over 100 companies registered to attend. These firms represent a wide range of sectors, including construction, infrastructure, engineering, healthcare, urban planning, logistics, agriculture, energy, and tourism. The initiative aims to facilitate direct partnerships between Libyan institutions and experienced Italian companies with a strong record of delivering in complex markets. The forum also serves as an entry point to wider African markets. Colicchi described Cyrenaica (eastern Libya) as a strategic hub, connecting Europe with sub-Saharan Africa. He also praised Italy's recent diplomatic engagement, noting that Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni remains the only European leader to have visited Benghazi in recent years. Colicchi identified Belqasem Haftar as one of Libya's most important economic actors, citing his leadership in post-crisis reconstruction and his supervision of public investment projects in Derna and other cities. The Reconstruction Fund, he said, is becoming a reliable partner for foreign investors seeking long-term opportunities in Libya. Tags: benghaziInvestment ForumItalian Firmslibya
