Libya Grants Visa-Free Entry to Belarusian Nationals
On Monday, the Parliament-desinaged government, led by Prime Minister Osama Hammad, issued an official decision to exempt citizens of Belarus from visa requirements and residence fees typically imposed on foreign nationals entering or residing in Libya.
The decision is framed within Libya's legal principle of reciprocal treatment and in alignment with international diplomatic norms. It is intended to enhance growing ties between Libya and Belarus and ease the movement of people between the two countries.
According to the government, this step reflects the broader strategic cooperation that has been evolving in recent months.
In March 2025, Hammad received a senior ministerial delegation from Belarus in Benghazi. During that visit, the two sides signed a series of memoranda of understanding (MoUs) covering a wide range of economic and technical sectors.
Key areas of collaboration outlined in those MoUs include agriculture, industry, education, geological exploration, and mining. The agreements also covered healthcare, specifically the supply of medicines and medical equipment, as well as training programs for doctors and healthcare workers.
Shortly after that visit, another Belarusian delegation traveled to Benghazi to attend the official inauguration of the Belarusian Consulate General in the city. The opening of the consulate was described by both sides as a symbol of deepening trust and a practical step toward closer engagement in Libya's eastern region.
Libyan authorities view the visa exemption as a way to encourage Belarusian professionals, investors, and companies to participate in ongoing development and reconstruction projects. It is also seen as a sign of confidence in Libya's improving security and investment climate, particularly in the east. Tags: BelarusBelarusianEntry VisaslibyaPrime Minister
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Libya Review
27 minutes ago
- Libya Review
180,000 E-Wallets Launched in Libya Since January
The Central Bank of Libya (CBL) has announced the distribution of 56.5 billion Libyan dinars to commercial bank branches across all Libyan cities between January 1 and May 31, 2025. According to a detailed report published on the bank's official Facebook page, this disbursement comes as part of the national financial management strategy aimed at ensuring liquidity across the banking sector. The report revealed that a total of 1,235,503 cheques were processed through the electronic clearing system over the same period, with a combined value of 58.1 billion dinars. These transactions were executed via 711 bank branches and clearing centers across the country. Digital Transactions on the Rise The bank also reported a steady increase in digital financial services. The total number of activated e-wallets reached 180,941, with a combined transaction volume of 49.9 million dinars. In addition, the number of point-of-sale (POS) terminals rose significantly during the first five months of 2025, reaching 98,602 compared to 76,356 at the end of 2024. This reflects an increase of 22,246 POS devices nationwide, indicating growing reliance on cashless payment systems. ATM Activity and Card Usage The number of activated bank cards stood at 5,012,979, with these cards facilitating 10,582,461 ATM transactions. The total value of withdrawals and transactions conducted via ATMs reached 6 billion dinars. The CBL emphasized that these indicators reflect an ongoing shift towards electronic banking and digital financial inclusion across the country. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
Libya Review
12 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
12 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
