MSF ordered to leave Libya with ‘no reason’ given, medical group says

Without giving a reason for its expulsion, the medical organization Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF) has claimed it was ordered to leave Libya by November 9.

MSF claimed in a statement on Wednesday that it had been told to leave in a recent letter from the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and that it had already been forced to do so in March.

No justification for our expulsion has been provided, according to Steve Purbrick, the director of MSF’s programs in Libya.

“We think that MSF continues to play a significant role in Libya, particularly in the diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis, in supporting the country’s healthcare system, and in providing access to healthcare for refugees and migrants who are arbitrary detained and subject to severe violence,” he said.

By November 9th, Libya must be declared free. Our activities in the country were initially suspended in March of this year, but our expulsion comes without justification.

We regret deeply and seek a resolution to this issue: …

Purbrick claimed that MSF’s registration with the internationally recognized government was still valid and that the Geneva-based organization still hoped to “find a positive solution” to the situation.

More than 15, 000 medical consultations were conducted by MSF in collaboration with the Libyan health authorities last year.

Following the devastating flash floods that left thousands of people dead in Derna, it provided emergency medical care in 2023.

Libya is divided between the internationally recognized Tripoli government, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and a rival east-western government.

Since a 2011 revolt led to the ouster of Colonel Muammar Gaddafi as head of the North African nation, the country has remained divided.

Libya’s Internal Security Agency shut down MSF’s offices in March, and the organization claimed that several of its employees had been subjected to “interrogation.”

Nine other humanitarian organizations operating in the west of the nation were also affected by this wave of repression, according to MSF.

There are no international NGOs providing medical care to refugees and migrants in western Libya, according to the statement.