The move sparked a public backlash against the Tripoli-based government, which is challenged by a rival government in the war-torn country's east. Dbeibah has faced bitter criticism from political rivals, rights groups and relatives of Libyan detainees who fear being handed over themselves. Libyan media have reported that Burns would also visit the headquarters of eastern military strongman Khalifa Haftar, Dbeibah's key rival. Burns, CIA chief since March 2021, visited Libya in 2014 as undersecretary of state for the Middle East. Qadhafi's overthrow and killing in the 2011 revolt plunged Libya into division and violence.

Source: Libya Today January 12, 2023 19:19 UTC