Libya Announces Arrangements to Reopen Iranian Embassy in Tripoli

The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
TT

Libya Announces Arrangements to Reopen Iranian Embassy in Tripoli

The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)
The Libyan and Iranian FMs meet in Tripoli. (Foreign ministry)

The Libyan Foreign and International Cooperation Ministry of Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah’s interim Government of National Unity (GNU) announced on Sunday that efforts are underway to resume the work of the Iranian embassy in the capital, Tripoli.

Foreign and International Cooperation Minister Najla Al-Mangoush met with Iran's ambassador to Libya, Mohamed Reza, to discuss ways to strengthen bilateral relations.

On its Facebook page, the Ministry wrote that Al-Mangoush tackled with Reza the activation of the joint economic committee between their countries and arrangements for the reopening of the Iranian embassy in Tripoli.

The meeting tackled regional and international developments. Al-Magnoush said Libya welcomes the reestablishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran, saying the agreement they reached last week will be significant for the stability of the region.

The Iranian embassy in Tripoli closed its doors in wake of the February 2011 revolution, following remarks by former mufti Sadiq al-Ghariani who accused Tehran of “spreading Shiism in Libya.”

In February 2015, the residence of the Iranian ambassador was attacked by a car bomb. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack that did not leave heavy damage.



Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released from Iran and Returning Home

This photograph taken in Pordenone on September 16, 2023, shows Italian journalist Cecilia Sala posing for a photo at the Pordenonelegge Literature Festival in Pordenone. (ANSA/AFP)
This photograph taken in Pordenone on September 16, 2023, shows Italian journalist Cecilia Sala posing for a photo at the Pordenonelegge Literature Festival in Pordenone. (ANSA/AFP)
TT

Italian Journalist Cecilia Sala Released from Iran and Returning Home

This photograph taken in Pordenone on September 16, 2023, shows Italian journalist Cecilia Sala posing for a photo at the Pordenonelegge Literature Festival in Pordenone. (ANSA/AFP)
This photograph taken in Pordenone on September 16, 2023, shows Italian journalist Cecilia Sala posing for a photo at the Pordenonelegge Literature Festival in Pordenone. (ANSA/AFP)

An Italian journalist detained in Iran since Dec. 19 and whose fate became intertwined with that of an Iranian engineer wanted by the United States was freed Wednesday and is heading home, Italian officials announced.

A plane carrying Cecilia Sala took off from Tehran after “intensive work on diplomatic and intelligence channels,” Premier Giorgia Meloni’s office said, adding that Meloni had informed Sala's parents of the news.

There was no immediate word from the Iranian government on the journalist’s release.

Sala, a 29-year-old reporter for the Il Foglio daily, was detained in Tehran on Dec. 19, three days after she arrived on a journalist visa. She was accused of violating the laws of the country, the official IRNA news agency said.

Italian commentators had speculated that Iran was holding Sala as a bargaining chip to ensure the release of Mohammad Abedini, who was arrested at Milan’s Malpensa airport three days before on Dec. 16, on a US warrant.

The US Justice Department accused him and another Iranian of supplying the drone technology to Iran that was used in a January 2024 attack on a US outpost near the Syrian-Jordanian border that killed three American troops.

He remains in detention in Italy.