Libyan army denies plot to force resettlement of Palestinians

A source from the Libyan National Army (LNA) on August 10th strongly denied the unconfirmed reports of a secret agreement to resettle displaced Palestinians in return for political or economic concessions, according to the Libya Review via Asharq Al-Awsat. 

The Libyan army source told Asharq Al-Awsat that the claims were “fabricated, false, and aimed at damaging the reputation of the leadership while inciting division within Libya,” adding that “certain parties” are looking to ignite unrest with the claims.

The source also reported that the LNA welcomes Palestinians into Libya as guests in their “second homeland,” but does so transparently, without participating in any purported secret deals.

The Libyan National Army, led by General Khalifa Haftar, is aligned with the eastern government of Libya – the nation was split into two rival administrations after the overthrow of dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, with the other government being based in the capital of Tripoli.

A media officer from Haftar’s office, Khalifa Al-Obeidi, explained that the goal behind the claims was to “mislead public opinion and spread dangerous disinformation,” and also reaffirmed the reports were “baseless”.

It was reported by the Italian news agency, Nova, that the alleged secret agreement may have been mediated by Turkey and backed by the United States. The logistical operations which form part of the plan reportedly included thousands of flights and dozens of ships.

However the United States embassy in Libya has also denied the claims of the plan, and has previously described it as “provocative and complete false” following the visit from US senior advisor Massad Boulos.

Back in May of 2025, a report from NBC News of a plan to relocate Palestinians to Libya prompted the US embassy to rebuke the claims on X.

Al-Obeidi also spoke of the LNA’s “firm and unwavering stance” towards the rights of Palestinian people.

The Libyan House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee has condemned what they have called the “insertion of Libya” into any displacement plans for Palestinian people, and have similarly described the claims of a secret plan as “unacceptable”.

The rival government in Libya, based in the western capital Tripoli, has also publicly rejected any forced resettlement of displaced Palestinians in Libya, arguing that it would undermine the rights of Palestinians and change the demographics of their territories, whilst also conflicting with international law.

Libya Review via Asharq Al-Awsat/Nova/Maghrebi.org