Maghreb Solidarity Convoy Withdraws from Libya Amid Detentions, Demands Release of 15 Activists
Over 1,500 pro-Palestine activists halted in Libya on their way to Gaza; organizers refuse to return to Tunisia until Libyan authorities free detained participants.
Watan-Organizers of the Maghreb Solidarity Convoy to Break the Siege on Gaza have decided to retreat from Libya back to Tunisia, on the condition that the Libyan eastern government, appointed by the parliament, releases 15 detained activists from the convoy.
The convoy had crossed from Tunisia into Libya, reaching the city of Sirte (450 km east of Tripoli), but was forced to withdraw to Misrata after Libya’s eastern authorities denied permission to proceed toward the Musaid border crossing.
The convoy, which includes over 1,500 activists from across the Maghreb, had hoped to enter Egypt through the Salloum border crossing and reach the Rafah crossing into Gaza—a symbolic protest against the Israeli siege and ongoing war of extermination in the Strip.
Convoy Stalls in Libya as Organizers Demand Release of 15 Detained Activists
He confirmed the detainees include 3 Algerians, 2 Tunisians, and 10 Libyans.
Al-Hanshiri added: “We’ve also arranged safe transportation for those who wish to leave the convoy and return to Tunisia.”
As of 12:25 GMT, there has been no official response from the eastern Libya government.
Last Thursday evening, convoy organizers announced that Libyan forces halted their progress at the entrance to Sirte, pending permission from Benghazi authorities to continue.
