By: TPA News Desk | editor@thepointafricanews.com

TRIPOLI, Libya – Libya’s foreign affairs parliamentary committee has issued a strong appeal to the U.S. government, urging it to reconsider the inclusion of Libyan citizens on the list of countries banned from traveling to the United States. In a statement released from Benghazi on Monday, June 16, 2025, the committee argued that the U.S. decision lacks objective grounds and unfairly disregards Libya’s significant contributions and sacrifices in the global fight against terrorism.

The committee, part of Libya’s House of Representatives, expressed deep regret and strong dissatisfaction with the U.S. travel restrictions, which currently fully ban nationals from 12 countries, including Libya. The U.S. administration has justified the ban by citing, in Libya’s specific case, the absence of a central, competent, and cooperative authority for issuing passports and civil documents, along with a “history of terrorist activity within Libyan territory.” The travel ban took full effect on June 9, 2025.

However, the Libyan committee countered that this decision overlooks the substantial efforts made by the Libyan state and its armed forces in confronting and eliminating terrorist groups that have been active within the country and have posed a threat to both regional and international security. They emphasized that Libyan security forces have made considerable progress in restoring order, with numerous terrorist elements neutralized through national efforts.

The statement also drew attention to the long-term consequences of the 2011 international intervention in Libya, asserting that the subsequent withdrawal left the country in chaos. The committee warned that the continued U.S. travel ban risks undermining Libya’s ongoing reconstruction efforts and could deter much-needed foreign investment and expertise at a critical time for the nation’s recovery.

Furthermore, the parliamentary body highlighted the potential negative impact on economic and diplomatic ties between the two nations, suggesting that maintaining cooperation and mutual respect is vital for future partnership and overall regional stability. The committee concluded its appeal by stressing the need for reciprocal treatment of U.S. citizens in Libya to safeguard mutual interests and the future of bilateral relations.