Egypt urges restraint amid Tripoli unrest

Egypt issued an urgent appeal for calm in neighbouring Libya on Saturday following reports of overnight clashes in Tripoli, calling on all Libyan factions to “exercise the utmost restraint, uphold the interests of the Libyan people, and preserve their resources and property”.

The statement, released by Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on its official social media channels, expressed “great interest and concern” regarding the escalating situation in the North African nation, which has struggled with political instability since the 2011 uprising.

“We are closely monitoring developments in Libya and urge all parties to prioritise dialogue over confrontation,” the ministry statement emphasised, though it did not specify details about the nature of Friday evening’s incidents in Tripoli.

Egyptian authorities also issued safety advisories to their citizens currently residing in Libya, instructing them to “exercise the utmost caution and remain in their homes until the situation is resolved”. The ministry established a dedicated operations room and urged Egyptian nationals to maintain contact with their embassy in Tripoli for assistance or evacuation if necessary.

The timing of Egypt’s statement comes amid renewed concerns about Libya’s fragile political landscape, where rival administrations continue to vie for control despite international efforts to broker lasting peace.

Libya and Egypt share a 1,115-kilometre border, and Cairo has been a significant stakeholder in Libya’s stability due to security and economic interests in the region.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​