Tobruk University hosts conference on Libya’s royal-era diplomats

Tobruk University has convened a three-day conference examining the role of Libyan ambassadors during the country’s monarchical period, bringing together former diplomats, academics and relatives of envoys who served under King Idris Al-Senussi.

According to the university’s media office, the conference opened on Saturday and will run until Monday. It is being held under the patronage of the university’s president, Professor Hassan Ali Khairallah, and features participation from a number of prominent diplomatic figures.

Among those attending are former Libyan ambassador Mohammed Al-Barghathi and Tamim Mustafa Abdullah Baiou, Libya’s former representative to the United Nations in Geneva. The opening session was also attended by Mohamed Al-Taher Al-Jarrari, chairman of the Libyan Archives and Historical Studies Centre, as well as Fadlallah Rafi, general coordinator of the General Command forces in the Al-Butnan region.

The event has also drawn the participation of descendants of prominent figures from Libya’s diplomatic and national history. These include Ali Al-Tuwati, son of the veteran fighter Al-Tuwati Al-Arabi; Adnan Ali Hasnain, son of former ambassador Ali Hasnain; and Younes Al-Enezi, son of Ali Nour Al-Din Al-Enezi, who represented the Kingdom of Libya in Jordan.

The conference aims to highlight the historical role played by Libya’s ambassadors during the royal era in shaping the country’s diplomatic presence on the international stage. Organisers say it will also explore their contributions to establishing Libya’s foreign relations during a pivotal period in the nation’s history.

Over the course of three days, the programme will feature a series of academic sessions and specialised research presentations examining what organisers describe as a formative diplomatic experience in Libya’s modern history.

The gathering comes amid renewed public and academic interest in Libya’s pre-1969 political and institutional legacy, particularly the foundations laid in diplomacy and international engagement during the monarchy.