Libya announces release of its citizens detained in Chad

Libyan authorities announced the unconditional release of all Libyan citizens who had been detained in Chad, marking the resolution of an incident that had raised serious security and humanitarian concerns, as reported by the Libya Review on January 1st.

The release followed coordinated diplomatic and security efforts involving Libyan and Chadian officials, as well as local leaders in southeastern Libya.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of the parliament-designate Libyan government said the detainees were freed after direct communications between the General Command of the Libyan National Army, the government, and Chadian authorities. The efforts were supported by the Kufra municipal council and local elders, whom the ministry credited with helping to de-escalate the situation. The ministry described the outcome as a constructive example of joint security and diplomatic coordination.

According to the statement, Chad’s Foreign Minister, Abdallah Saber Fadl, reiterated his government’s firm rejection of what he characterised as illegal actions conducted by certain Chadians against Libyan citizens. He emphasised Chad’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of Libyans present within its territory, signalling official recognition of the seriousness of the incident.

The Libyan Foreign Ministry stressed that monitoring the conditions of Libyan citizens abroad remains a central responsibility. It urged citizens to inform the ministry when traveling to areas experiencing security tensions, noting that early notification allows authorities to follow developments closely and intervene more effectively when necessary.

Libya’s foreign ministry also added that the episode underscored the shared resolve of the two countries to manage sensitive issues through responsible engagement, adding that individual violations should not be seen as reflective of the broader historical and bilateral relations between the two neighbouring countries.

The resolution comes after the Kufra municipality previously announced a temporary suspension of truck traffic to and from Chad, as reported by The Libya Observer on December 31st. The measure was described as precautionary, following reports that Libyan citizens had been abducted and tortured inside Chadian territory. At the time, the municipality strongly condemned the alleged abuses, calling them a serious violation of human rights, and said the suspension would remain in place until the detainees’ safety was assured.

Libya Review, The Libya Observer, Maghrebi.org