Politics · Other · 4 hrs ago
Eastern Libya bars Iranian and Afghan nationals from entering
Libya’s eastern administration has barred Iranian and Afghan nationals from entering through the region’s land, sea and air ports.
The decision extends restrictions imposed in June on people from Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
The administration gave no reason for the new ban.
Its Interior Ministry will enforce the decision and deport Iranian and Afghan nationals without valid residence permits.
Members of accredited diplomatic and consular missions, their families, and authorized workers in medical and educational professions are exempt.
Libya has been divided between rival eastern and western governments since 2014, and the eastern administration is based in Benghazi.
Libya is also a transit route for migrants seeking to reach Europe, and UN data counted more than 900,000 migrants in the country in June.
Libya’s eastern-based government has barred Iranian and Afghan nationals from entering through all land, sea and air ports.
The government announced the decision late on Wednesday, October 28.
It did not give a reason for the ban.
The Ministry of Interior is responsible for enforcing the decision and deporting affected nationals without valid residence permits.
The move extends entry restrictions imposed in June on nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.
- Who
- Libya’s eastern-based government, led by Osama Hamad.
- What
- It barred Iranian and Afghan nationals from entering Libya through all land, sea and air ports.
- When
- Late on Wednesday, October 28, 2026.
- Where
- All land, sea and air ports of entry into Libya.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Hamad’s government banned nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia from entering Libya.
The eastern-based government announced a ban on Iranian and Afghan nationals entering Libya.
- Affected nationalities
- Iran and Afghanistan
- Ports covered
- All land, sea and air ports of entry
- Enforcement
- Ministry of Interior
- Previous restrictions
- Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia
- Migrants in Libya
- More than 900,000, according to UN data collected in June
What people are saying
The nationals of both Iran and Afghanistan are prohibited from entering Libyan territory through all land, air, and sea ports of entry