Libyans protest Greek minister’s refusal to get off plane

TRIPOLI, Libya

Hundreds of Libyans demonstrated outside the Greek Embassy in Tripoli on Sunday to condemn Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias’ behavior during his visit to the country.

Dendias was scheduled to meet Mohamed Menfi, chairman of the Libyan Presidency Council in Tripoli on Thursday, and Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh in eastern Libya.

He, however, refused to disembark from his plane in Tripoli when his Libyan counterpart, Najla Mangoush, came to the airport to greet him. Instead, Dendias flew to Benghazi ahead of schedule.

“Dendias is an ally of war criminals” and “Libya will not bow” were among banners waved by protesters, according to an Anadolu Agency reporter.

"We stand here to protest the inappropriate and undiplomatic behavior by Greece toward the Libyan state," Mohammad Ali, a protester, told Anadolu Agency.

“We are coming here today to stand up to anyone trying to violate the Libyan sovereignty,” he added.

Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh had condemned the Greek minister’s behavior, saying Tripoli will not allow such practices against Libya.

Oil-rich Libya has remained in turmoil since 2011 when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted after four decades in power.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar