The dispute began after Trump described Libya as one of several “terror-infested countries” during an election rally in Perry, Georgia, on Saturday, October 24.
He questioned why the U.S. accepted immigrants from countries including Libya, Yemen, Haiti and Somalia instead of nations such as Norway, Sweden and Denmark, using the derogatory expression “shithouse countries” to describe them.
The comments drew condemnation from Libyan officials, who said the remarks undermined the country’s dignity and should not make its people part of American political disputes.
Libya protests Trump’s remarks as officials demand clarification
Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation summoned US Chargé d’Affaires Inga Hemmink on Sunday, October 25, to deliver a formal protest.
The ministry handed the US diplomat a note demanding an official explanation and correction of Trump’s remarks.
It rejected statements that undermined the dignity of Libyans and argued that the country should not be dragged into electoral disputes or domestic political calculations in the United States.
The ministry also stressed that relations between countries should be guided by mutual respect, national sovereignty and established diplomatic standards.
Libya’s House of Representatives Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Committee separately called on Washington to clarify its position.
According to Libya Observer, The committee rejected what it described as “unacceptable descriptions” that undermined the standing of the Libyan state.
As reported by Lana, the Libyan Presidential Council also condemned Trump’s remarks, describing them as an affront to the dignity of the country’s people.
It called for an explicit apology and instructed the GNU Foreign Ministry to raise a formal protest through diplomatic channels.
The responses added pressure on Washington to address the diplomatic fallout, with Libyan institutions insisting that the country’s political difficulties did not justify insulting its people.
Trump praises Libyans and U.S. official apologises
Trump moved to soften his remarks, saying the U.S. respected Libyans and the sacrifices they had made in the fight against Islamic State (ISIS).
In a post on Truth Social, he described Libyans as “proud, resilient, and hospitable” people who deserved “peace and prosperity.”
He also said Washington remained committed to supporting Libya’s long-awaited unification and its institutions, while highlighting the two countries’ counterterrorism partnership.
Trump said the U.S. and Libya had achieved historic success together in defeating ISIS in the country.
His statement marked a shift from the language he had used at the Georgia rally few days earlier.
The diplomatic response continued in Washington.
The Libyan Embassy in the U.S. announced that Leslie Hayden, Director of North African Affairs at the U.S. State Department, had expressed regret and apologised over the incident.
As reported by Libya Observer, the apology was delivered during a meeting at the U.S. State Department in Washington, with Mahmoud Al-Futaisi, Libya’s chargé d’affaires in the United States, and Fathi Al-Hafi, an embassy official responsible for consular affairs.
According to the Libyan Embassy, Hayden’s apology reflected Washington’s appreciation of its relationship with Libya and the importance of addressing disagreements through mutual respect.
The meeting also examined ways to expand cooperation between the two countries in political, economic, investment, educational and cultural fields.
Both sides stressed the importance of continued dialogue and direct communication to resolve obstacles and strengthen mutual trust.
Al-Futaisi reaffirmed Libya’s commitment to its longstanding relationship with the United States, while stressing that respect for national sovereignty, dignity and official institutions remained essential to constructive relations.
The reported apology by Libya Observer came after Libya’s Foreign Ministry had formally protested Trump’s comments and the president had publicly praised the Libyan people.
However, the apology was delivered by a State Department official to Libyan diplomats, rather than by Trump personally.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com
