Authorities in the United Arab Emirates have denied visas to newly-appointed Libyan Ambassador and Chargé d'affaires to enter the Gulf state, sources revealed.

Libya Khabar news website reported that the UAE officials refused to grant entry visa to Ambassador Abdul-Hamid Farhat and Chargé d'affaires in the Libyan Consulate in Dubai Ali Al-Aloos, both diplomats were appointed by the UN-proposed Presidency Council recognized by the UAE.

The website quoted sources as saying that the Libyan Foreign Ministry had sent the two names of the diplomats to its UAE counterpart for visa approval, but it did not receive any reply.

“There is strong resentment within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Presidency Council over the conduct of the Emirates,” the sources disclosed, adding that Libyan officials think that the UAE recognition of the Presidency Council and its refusal to cooperate with it diplomatically is contradiction.

The UAE is a strong supporter of Dignity Operation commander Khalifa Haftar, who rejects the Presidency Council. It supplies his operation with weapons and equipment and backs his political groups including the House of Representatives and the Interim Government of Abdullah Al-Thanni.

The former Libyan Ambassador to the UAE Aref Al-Nayad resigned last October after five years in office.