Travelers' kidnapping unveils attempts to sabotage Libya's ceasefire

In an attempt to obstruct the ceasefire inside Libya, armed groups kidnapped travelers upon their arrival at Tripoli's Mitiga airport.

This in a way obstructs the implementation of the "Geneva Agreement" which was concluded at the end of last October.

The agreement stipulated – among other things –the opening of airspace and the return of flights.

Passenger kidnapping

Although the United Nations Mission in Libya welcomed the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority on November 4, 2020, to permit the resumption of flights to all airports in the southern Libyan region, armed groups arrested Libyan citizens from the eastern region who traveled to Tripoli.

Despite the mission's assertion that all Libyan citizens have the right to freedom of movement, and that any unlawful violation of this right is a serious violation of Libya's obligations under international law, the kidnapping of a number of travelers demonstrated that there are parties working to obstruct the implementation of the Geneva Agreement.

For its part, the Ministry of Interior of the Government of National Accord in Tripoli said these acts serve the personal interests of the groups carrying them out.

These actions do not represent the Government of National Accord, it said. 

They do not serve the public interest of the country either, it added. 

The government said this irresponsible act undermines the path of negotiations. 

Immediate release

The United Nations Mission in Libya called for the immediate release of the kidnapped travelers, and said in a statement these measures aim to sabotage efforts to bring together Libyans, after the ceasefire agreement.

It called for the immediate release of those arbitrarily detained.

It also called for granting freedom of movement with full respect to all Libyans.