Libya seeks urgent clarification from Russia over travel warning

The Libyan Government of National Unity has called on Moscow to provide an urgent explanation regarding the Russian Embassy’s recent travel warning for Libya. Issued on Thursday, December 12, the advisory discourages Russian citizens from traveling to Libya, citing risks to safety, and comes in the wake of the arrest of a Russian citizen in the country.

In an official statement on the same day, Libya’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed its concern over Russian authorities’ announcement and emphasized the importance of mutual respect and transparency in bilateral relations. The ministry requested detailed clarification about the reasons behind the warning, underlining the need for open communication between the two nations.

The Libyan Foreign Ministry also addressed the arrest of the Russian citizen, stating that the measures taken were fully compliant with Libyan laws and conducted in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General. The operation was supervised by the Deterrence Agency for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime.

According to the ministry, initial investigations revealed that the detained individual was allegedly involved in activities that jeopardized public order, targeted Libyan youth, and maintained ties with foreign armed groups operating in Africa. These actions were framed as efforts to preserve national security and counter threats to Libya’s stability.

Earlier Thursday, the Russian embassy in Tripoli issued a public warning advising Russian citizens against traveling to Libya for personal or tourist purposes, citing significant dangers to life and health, particularly in western Libya. The advisory also discouraged using Libya as a transit route for travel by buses, cars, motorcycles, or bicycles, reiterating that the country is a non-tourist destination.

The embassy attributed the warning to the ongoing tense military and political situation in Libya, underscoring the risks posed by unofficial travel to the region.

Libya’s Government of National Unity stressed its commitment to ensuring national security and maintaining the stability it has worked diligently to achieve in recent years, while seeking to resolve the matter diplomatically with Moscow.