Egypt reopens its Tripoli embassy after 12 years: what it signals for Libya
Egypt has reopened its embassy in Libya's capital, closed since 2014. Analysts say Cairo is changing how it deals with Libya's rival governments, with energy deals high on the agenda.
Abdul Moiz Qureshi · Newsroom Intern, Cohort 1
2 min read
Egypt has reopened its embassy in Tripoli, Libya's capital, ending a closure that lasted 12 years, Reuters reported. The embassy's old building reopened on 7 November.
Why did Egypt close it?
Egypt shut the embassy in 2014, when several foreign missions left Tripoli as rival governments set up their own administrations in the capital and in the east of the country. Egypt pulled out after five Egyptian diplomats were kidnapped by armed groups in Tripoli.
Libya has been unstable since the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi. Rival political and armed groups have fought for power since, leaving the country split between eastern and western authorities.
Egypt began taking steps to restore diplomatic ties in 2021, according to Ahram Online.
What has changed?
For years, Egypt has kept close ties with eastern military commander Khalifa Haftar, whose forces have competed with the internationally recognised government in Tripoli.
Libyan political analyst Hazem al-Rayes told Al Jazeera that Egypt's move is "an attempt to readjust its behaviour in the Libyan file". Political science professor Elias al-Barouni told Al Jazeera it shows "a shift in Cairo's method of managing its relations with the Libyan parties".
Why does Libya matter to Egypt?
The two countries share a long border, and Libya matters to Egypt's security and economy. Libya's oil and its need for rebuilding offer big opportunities for Egyptian companies and workers.
During his November visit, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed energy cooperation, including a gas pipeline and plans to refine Libyan crude oil in Egypt. Egypt wants faster progress on gas, refining and electricity projects with Libya, Reuters reported.
What to watch
The reopening could improve contact between Cairo and Tripoli. But it does not end Libya's divisions. Disputes over who holds power, who controls national institutions and how oil money is shared still stand in the way of a single government.
Sources
This story is based on reporting and documents from:
We check facts with at least two independent sources. How we work
Written by
Abdul Moiz QureshiAbdul Moiz Qureshi is a graduate of Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, in Defence and Strategic Studies.
Spotted a mistake? Tell us and we will fix it.
Related stories
Middle EastTrump says Iran land blockade is "in full force", plans to raise the war with Xi and Putin
Donald Trump says Task Force Iron Gate is now in effect and that he expects to discuss the Iran war with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at next week's APEC summit in China.
Middle EastIron Gate: US launches task force to cut Iran's land supply routes
After months of naval blockade, the US military has set up a task force called Iron Gate to stop weapons and goods reaching Iran by land, rail, air and the Caspian Sea.
Middle EastWhat the US midterm results mean for the Iran war
Republicans lost both chambers of Congress, and Vice President JD Vance blamed the Iran war. Donald Trump says he would do it again, while Iran says the US has still not met its conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz.