Britain Reopens its Embassy in Libya After 8 Years Hiatus

Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
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Britain Reopens its Embassy in Libya After 8 Years Hiatus

Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)

Britain reopened its embassy in Libya after an eight years hiatus. British ambassador Caroline Hurndall announced the reopening at an event celebrating Queen Elisabeth II's official birthday and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at the old embassy compound in Tripoli.

Hurndall announced the reopening on her Twitter account saying: "I announced this evening that Britain is reopening our British Embassy here in Libya. This is a demonstration of British commitment to the whole of Libya. I am proud our work touches the lives of Libyans across the whole country already."

She reiterated that if "Libya is to fulfill her political and economic potential, Libya's leaders must continue to implement the October Ceasefire Agreement, work together, and pursue compromise, cooperation, and concord. The people of Libya deserve this."

The head of the interim Libyan unity government Abdulhamid Dbeibeh expressed his happiness at Britain's joining of the countries that reopened their embassies.

Dbeibeh stressed the need for this to be reflected in providing better services to Libyan citizens who wish to obtain visas and other services.

He hoped the move would boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

The announcement was made at the embassy's celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth.



Tunisians Protest Against President as Jailed Politicians Begin Hunger Strike

Figures detained on conspiracy charges in Tunisia - ( Ghazi Chaouachi official social media page)
Figures detained on conspiracy charges in Tunisia - ( Ghazi Chaouachi official social media page)
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Tunisians Protest Against President as Jailed Politicians Begin Hunger Strike

Figures detained on conspiracy charges in Tunisia - ( Ghazi Chaouachi official social media page)
Figures detained on conspiracy charges in Tunisia - ( Ghazi Chaouachi official social media page)

Hundreds of Tunisians staged two protest rallies on Wednesday against what they say is the authoritarian rule of President Kais Saied and demanded the release of political prisoners, while six detained opposition figures held a hunger strike.

Saied seized extra powers in 2021 when he shut down the elected parliament and moved to rule by decree before assuming authority over the judiciary. The opposition described his move as a coup, Reuters reported.

Supporters of the opposition Free Constitutional Party gathered in the capital Tunis to demand the release of their detained leader Abir Moussi. They chanted slogans such as "Saied, dictator, your turn has come," and "Free Abir".

"What is happening is true tyranny, no freedom for the opposition, no freedom for the media. Any word can send you to prison," one protester, Hayat Ayari, told Reuters.

Hundreds of supporters of another opposition party, the Salvation Front, staged a separate rally, also in Tunis, to demand the release of detained politicians, activists and journalists.

Six prominent opposition figures detained on conspiracy charges have begun a hunger strike in prison to protest against their impending trial, their lawyers said on Wednesday.

Abdelhamid Jelassi, Jawhar Ben Mbarek, Khiyam Turki, Ridha Belhaj, Issam Chebbi and Ghazi Chaouachi - all detained in 2023 during a crackdown on the opposition - have refused to participate in what they say is an "unfair trial".

Saied said in 2023 that the detainees were "traitors and terrorists" and that the judges who acquitted them were their accomplices.

The detainees have denied any wrongdoing and have said they were preparing an initiative aimed at uniting Tunisia's fragmented opposition.

Most leaders of political parties are now in prison including two of Saied's most prominent opponents, Moussi and Rached Ghannouchi, the head of the Ennahda party.

The government says there is democracy in Tunisia and Saied says he will not be a dictator, but that what he calls a corrupt elite must be held accountable.