By Libya Herald staff.
Tripoli, 3 November 2014:
The Suq Al-Juma Council of Elders and local businessmen are reported to have called for . . .[restrict]a “ban” on goods from Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia in a protest against the countries’ support for the House of Representatives.
The ban has come just days after hundreds of Egyptians were denied entrance to Libya at Tripoli’s Mitiga Airport because of tightened visa requirements by Omar Al-Hassi’s antigovernment, resulting in the immediate deportation back to Egypt of some while others were left stranded at the airport.
It is believed that the ban and the tightened visa requirements were a reaction to Egypt and the UAE’s alleged airstrikes against military targets under the control of Libya Dawn forces.
Both countries have denied having carried out the airstrikes, but have openly supported the Libyan National Army, under the authority of the House of Representatives, in its fight against the militants, particularly in eastern Libya.
Egypt, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, along with the rest of the international community have repeatedly said that the House of Representatives is Libya’s legitimate government and have refused to recognise Libya Dawn’s National Salvation Government, although Turkey’s Special Envoy met with Hassi last month.
A ban would affect imports of dairy and frozen goods, a small but significant of which come from Saudi Arabia and less so from the UAE. Imports from Egypt would not be greatly affected since they are more prevalent in eastern Libya. Perhaps, significantly, there is no call for a ban on imports from Tunisia, which are mainly found in the west, despite the fact that it too recognises only the authority of the HoR and the Thinni government.
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