TRIPOLI – Tensions continue in Benghazi over claims that there are excessive delays in obtaining Egyptian entry visas. Earlier this week, the Egyptian consulate was attacked and damaged by angry demonstrators, who were driven off by the enhanced security force presence at the building. Local sources say that a group of protesters tried to enter the premises by force and caused some damage outside the building. Libyan security guards, whose number has been increased following requests made by the Egyptian government, prevented the protesters from entering the consulate. The consulate has not issued any official statement on this episode. The attack this week is the latest in a series of incidents and threats over the past few weeks, in spite of heightened security. A few days ago, the consul, Ashraf Shiha, reportedly received threats that the consulate would be blown up, if he persisted in keeping its doors shut. Anger has focused on the need to use middle men to guarantee the speedy issuance of visas. It usually takes four days to process an application. However, intermediaries, who obtain visas on behalf of Libyan citizens in exchange for a commission, have been getting them more quickly, leading to demands for consular staff to issue all visas on the day of application. The consulate decided to put an end to the use of middlemen and only grant visas directly to applicants. It is this decision that sparked the recent protests. Last month, a group of Libyans besieged the consulate in response to regulatory measures imposed over visa issuance. Libyan security guards and a reporter were attacked and the diplomatic premises and electronic equipment vandalised. Libyan security guards and a reporter were attacked and, once inside the consulate, the protestors tried to assault the consul himself, who was protected by his security personnel. In another incident in late August, unknown assailants blew up the car of the consulate's First Secretary, Abdelhamid Rafai, which was parked in front of his house, causing only material damage. Following the October incident, the consul had asked the Libyan authorities to tighten security around the diplomatic building. Although more guards were deployed, the Egyptian diplomats last week temporarily stopped processing visas because of the persistent lack of security and renewed threats it had been receiving. – Libya Herald
