Egypt reopened its embassy in Libya’s capital Tripoli on Saturday, ending a twelve-year closure that began when fighting forced foreign missions to pull out of the North African nation. The foreign affairs ministry in Cairo announced the move in a statement, marking a shift toward the western-based administration in Tripoli.
For years, Cairo stood as one of the most prominent backers of eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar. He acts as a rival to the Tripoli government led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah.
Egypt shut down its diplomatic mission in Tripoli in 2014. That year saw an escalating conflict split the oil-producing country, with rival governments establishing themselves in the capital and the eastern region.
Egyptian Foreign Affairs Minister Badr Abdelatty spoke at the reopening ceremony on Saturday. He stated that the historical significance of the embassy building aligns with the human and cultural ties that characterize Egyptian-Libyan relations.
Libya has been plunged into chaos since the fall of Muammar Qaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011. The conflict subsequently divided the country’s governance and security structures.
The eastern part of the country, based in Benghazi, is controlled by the Libyan National Army under military commander Khalifa Haftar. The east also hosts the House of Representatives and a separate government led by Osama Hammad.
Meanwhile, the west is governed by the internationally recognized Government of National Unity headed by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah. The High Council of State also operates out of Tripoli in the western region.
