The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the parallel government (designated by the House of Representatives [HoR]) called on "friendly countries" to move their embassies and representatives of diplomatic and international bodies and institutions to the city of Benghazi instead of the capital, Tripoli.
The Ministry justified its call in a statement by "the state of security, safety and stability enjoyed by Benghazi" in contrast to "the unstable security conditions in the capital, Tripoli".
The statement commended what it called "Egypt's position and supportive efforts to strengthen bilateral relations", referring in this context to the official Egyptian reception of the government's Prime Minister, Osama Hamad, during his visit to the Egyptian capital, Cairo.
It considered that the statements and actions issued by the Government of National Unity in this regard reflected "the extent of its insistence on violating the laws and decisions issued by the House of Representatives as the elected and legitimate body in Libya".
Earlier, the Government of National Unity (GNU) expressed its rejection of the Egyptian government's official reception of what it considered "parallel bodies that do not enjoy any international recognition", referring to Osama Hamad and his accompanying delegation.
The GNU considered in a statement that this step was a disconnection from the unity of the international position that rejects the return of the country to a state of division and conflict. It also clearly contradicted the expected Egyptian, Arab and regional role in supporting Libya's unity and stability as well as protecting it from attempts at disruption and division.
A source from the Government of National Unity also confirmed that it had informed Egyptian intelligence officials among the employees of the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli to leave Libyan territory immediately, in response to the Egyptian step to receive Hamad.
