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By Libya Herald reporter.
Benghazi, 9 March 2017:
The security authorities in eastern Libya have begun to use what in effect are exit visas to enable men and women between the ages of 18-45 to leave the country.
The move follows the controversial order a fortnight ago from Major-General Abdul Razzaq Al-Nazhuri, the LNA’s military governor from Ben Jawad to Derna, that 18 to 45-year-olds had to have security clearance to travel abroad. He said he made the order “to protect national security and Libyans of this age group from being lured by terrorist organisations”.
All applicants now have to provide details of their immediate family. For those living outside of Benghazi, including those resident abroad, they had to say whether they had been in the military.
Business people need to provode a copy of their passport, two photographs and local identification with their national number, stamped by civil registration authority.
Students have to provide the same documents, plus a confirmation letter from the education body concerned. Public sector staff and privately employed people must also do the same, with the letter from their employer.
The process is quick. So far, applications in Bengahzi to the internal security directorate are being processed and delivered the same day. Those in possession of an exit permit have to use it within a month. Subsequent later visits abroad will require a fresh application.
Nazhuri’s decision came only two days after he suspended his widely-opposed ban on women under 60 years of age traveling abroad unless accompanied by a male guardian. This was again in the name of security.
The need for “exit visas” is limited to those flying out of Labraq airport, however. Because Nazhuri’s remit does not extend to Tobruk, the order is not being applied at Tobruk airport. It is not being applied, either, at the Musaid crossing on the Egyptian border.
