Libyan MPs ‘humiliated’ by Jordanian authorities

Four MPs from Libya’s Tripoli-based parliament have accused the Jordanian authorities of “humiliating” them at Amman airport at the weekend. The four women had flown to Jordan to take part in a national dialogue workshop organised by the UN but were detained as they tried to enter the country.

“Jordan’s detention of members of Libya’s General National Congress at Queen Alia International Airport undermines and disrespects the congress and its legitimacy,” said Magda Al-Falah MP on her Facebook page. “It was particularly ironic given that the world was commemorating International Women’s Day.”

The deputies detained by the Jordanian authorities are members of Libya’s Islamist Justice and Construction party, the Muslim Brotherhood’s political arm in the North African country. Accompanying Al-Falah were Huda Banani, Mona Kawkalah and Fawzia Karawan.

“Jordan supports a military solution in Libya only,” added Al-Falah, “and is unable to host any activity that would support peaceful solutions that will support the Libyan cause.”

It was not possible to obtain an immediate comment about the incident from the Jordanian government, although security sources at the airport claimed that the Libyan delegation had “incomplete travel documents”. This was disputed by the Justice and Construction Party, which said on Sunday that the detention of the four MPs had no “legal or administrative basis”.