Egypt Reopens Tripoli Embassy to Pivot Toward Recognized Government
The move marks a shift in Cairo's strategy as it seeks to balance relations with rival Libyan factions.
By Robert Ward ·
Egypt has reopened its diplomatic mission in Tripoli, ending a 12-year closure that began due to security concerns. The action signals a change in Cairo's long-standing alignment with eastern Libyan authorities.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty inaugurated the historic embassy building on Saturday. This event ended a period during which no Egyptian foreign minister visited the capital in five years. The closure had persisted since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, a period during which the country split between rival administrations in Tripoli and the east.
Cairo previously supported the eastern authority led by military commander Khalifa Haftar. Recent regional shifts have prompted Egypt to rethink this approach. Hazem al-Rayes, a Libyan political analyst, described the move as an attempt to readjust Egypt's behavior in the Libyan file. He noted that the embassy reopening reflects a shift toward the seat of the internationally recognized government.
Several recent developments have stabilized parts of Libya. In July, Ankara and Haftar's Libyan National Army reached an agreement on developing military facilities and training programs in Turkiye. Haftar's son, Saddam, has also visited Turkiye and Qatar, both of which support the Tripoli government. Libyan rivals recently signed the 4+4 agreement, a roadmap for potential presidential and legislative elections within two years.
Badr Hassan al-Shafei, a professor at Cairo University, stated that Egypt concluded relying solely on Haftar did not serve its strategic interests. Cairo may now seek to signal to Haftar that he should not act unilaterally. The country is also concerned about the expansion of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces, which allegedly received support from Haftar.
Abdelatty discussed economic issues with Libyan officials during his visit. A key topic was the 2019 maritime border memorandum between Tripoli and Ankara. The Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Abdelatty stressed the need to address maritime demarcation in line with international law. This follows the eastern parliament's recent ratification of the agreement it initially opposed.
Al-Shafei indicated that Cairo prefers negotiating directly with the government that signed the maritime deal. This approach aims to protect Egyptian gas and oil interests in the Eastern Mediterranean. Egypt may also pursue reconstruction contracts and opportunities for its labor force in Libya's oil industry.
Al-Barouni cautioned that the dispute involves power, resources, and institutions rather than just government leadership. He warned that Libya needs a settlement that ends the division, not a deal that redistributes it.
