Tripoli, August 18, 2025 (Agencies) — Libya’s General Authority for Communications and Informatics has suspended all operations of Chinese tech giant Huawei within the country, citing grave violations of national and international laws and a threat to national security.
In a statement issued Sunday, the Tripoli-based Authority accused Huawei of entering into unauthorized contracts with illegal entities operating inside Libya. These actions were deemed a direct breach of Law No. 22 of 2010, which grants the Authority exclusive rights to issue licenses and regulate the telecommunications sector.
The Authority further alleged that Huawei’s conduct contravened international obligations, including core principles of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regarding respect for state sovereignty and lawful commercial practices. All contracts signed outside the approved legal framework have been declared null and void, and Huawei’s activities have been halted with immediate effect.
The move marks a significant escalation in Libya’s efforts to assert control over its digital infrastructure amid ongoing political fragmentation and foreign influence. Huawei, which had previously engaged in ambitious telecom modernization projects in Libya, now faces an indefinite freeze on its operations pending resolution of its legal status.
Huawei responded with disappointment, stating its commitment to transparency and compliance with local laws. However, the suspension could have ripple effects across Libya’s telecom sector, impacting local firms reliant on Huawei’s technology and raising concerns about foreign investment in critical infrastructure.
This development aligns Libya with a growing number of countries scrutinizing Huawei’s global footprint over data security and sovereignty concerns. Analysts warn that the decision may prompt neighboring states to reassess their own partnerships with foreign tech providers.