Libya: Prime Minister announces closure of 25 embassies under austerity plan

In a bid to cut public spending, Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah announced on Wednesday, April 30, the closure of 25 diplomatic missions abroad. The decision is part of a broader austerity plan aimed at reducing the financial burden of the public sector.

The closures will affect embassies, consulates, and permanent missions to international organizations, including those in the Vatican, Albania, Vietnam, and the Seychelles. Several other missions will be merged, such as those in Italy, Malaysia, and Kenya.

“We are going to shut down a number of embassies. This is an important decision for the people. It will help generate a surplus of foreign currency, as these embassies consume significant amounts,” the prime minister stated during a meeting with the National Oil Corporation.

As part of the same strategy, a special committee has been tasked with cutting Libya’s overseas diplomatic staff by 20%. The move reflects the government’s intention to streamline expenditures, at a time when the country remains burdened by institutional divisions and an economy that, despite a partial recovery in oil production, remains fragile.