A total of 19 Libyan nationals have returned to Tripoli after being released by authorities in Niger, officials said.
Those freed include Bahr al-Din al-Sulaimani, who had been detained at Niger’s border for carrying a forged identity, as well as Ahmed al-Qallal and a number of Libyan hunters.
Their release comes days after Niger’s prime minister visited Tripoli for talks with Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah and other senior officials.
Discussions focused on security and military cooperation, and resulted in the signing of a defence memorandum of understanding.
It remains unclear whether the releases were part of direct arrangements between the Libyan and Nigerien authorities.
Relations between the two countries have intensified in recent months, particularly on border security, irregular migration and cross-border crime.
Meanwhile, media outlets in Benghazi reported that militias loyal to Khalifa Haftar had released Mahmoud Alafi, a Tebbu leader and head of an opposition Nigerien political group, shortly after the Libyans’ return.
Reports, citing unnamed sources, said he was freed after investigations found no evidence linking him to hostile activities against Haftar’s forces.
The timing has been interpreted by some as a response to Niger’s earlier releases.
