On August 7, 2025, Magnus Brunner, the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration, faced immediate expulsion from Libya after being declared “persona non grata.” The order was issued upon his arrival at Benghazi’s airport by the Government of National Stability (GNS), which opposes the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU).
The GNS governs Benghazi and Eastern Libya, although the real power lies with military leader Khalifa Haftar. Meanwhile, the GNU is in control of Tripoli and the western regions of the country.
Expulsion details and diplomatic tensions
Brunner’s expulsion was not an isolated incident; it also affected Italy’s Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi and a group of Greek and Maltese officials. They were in Libya to address the alarming rise in irregular migration from the country to Europe, a situation that has raised significant concern within Brussels.
In a statement released by Prime Minister Osama Saad Hammad, the GNS criticized what it termed a “flagrant contravention of established diplomatic norms and international convention,” as well as “actions that demonstrably disregard Libyan national sovereignty” and a “violation of Libyan domestic law.” However, no specific reasons were given for the expulsion.
“Consequently, the scheduled visit (…) was rescinded upon their arrival at Benina International Airport in the city of Benghazi,” the press release states. “They were duly informed of the imperative to depart Libyan territory forthwith and were declared persona non grata.”
Uncertainty surrounds the expulsion
The exact circumstances leading to the expulsions remain unclear. Inquiries directed towards the European Commission for clarification went unanswered, leaving observers to speculate about the implications of this diplomatic incident. The situation highlights the ongoing tensions between the competing governments in Libya and their differing approaches to international relations and migration issues.
This incident adds another layer of complexity to the already fraught migration crisis affecting Europe, as various stakeholders grapple with the challenges posed by irregular migration routes from North Africa.