The government based in eastern Libya has banned Afghan and Iranian nationals from entering areas under its control through land, sea and air entry points, according to Reuters.

The decision was announced late Wednesday, although authorities did not provide a reason for the restrictions.

The eastern administration has instructed its Interior Ministry to enforce the ban and deport Afghan and Iranian nationals who do not possess valid residence permits.

Exemptions will apply to members of accredited diplomatic and consular missions and their families. Afghans and Iranians working in the medical and education sectors may also qualify for exemptions, provided they hold valid work authorizations.

The latest restrictions follow similar measures introduced by the eastern administration in June, when it barred nationals of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia.

Libya has served as a major transit route for migrants attempting to reach Europe across the Mediterranean since the 2011 overthrow of longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi. The country has remained divided between rival administrations in the east and west since 2014.

According to United Nations data collected in June, more than 900,000 migrants are living in Libya.

The European Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the people of Afghanistan, emphasizing humanitarian assistance, human rights accountability and the continued work of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA).

In a statement delivered during the Third Committee of the United Nations General Assembly, the EU stressed the importance of protecting the rights of Afghans, particularly women and young people, and ensuring their meaningful participation in shaping the country’s future.

The European Union said it has provided approximately €2 billion ($2.2 billion) in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan since 1994, including €320 million in 2024 and 2025.

The bloc also reiterated its support for UNAMA and international efforts to promote accountability for alleged human rights violations in Afghanistan.

The statement comes as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan has maintained that human rights are being protected in the country in accordance with Sharia law.

The EU’s remarks underscore continuing international concerns over human rights and humanitarian conditions in Afghanistan, alongside its stated commitment to assisting the Afghan population.

The Russian Embassy in Pakistan says the Pashto language could help promote mutual understanding and reconciliation between Afghanistan and Pakistan amid tensions between the two neighboring countries.

The embassy hosted a book launch ceremony on October 27 for Advanced Pashto Grammar in Use, attended by Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Albert P. Khorev, Afghanistan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Sardar Ahmad Shakib, the book’s author Hafiz-ur-Rehman Doran, and academics and media representatives.

Speaking at the event, Khorev said Afghanistan and Pakistan share a common language, giving their people an important opportunity to understand one another better.

He described the initiative as another Russian effort to encourage dialogue and help resolve differences between Kabul and Islamabad.

“Pashto can become a language of reconciliation between Pakistan and Afghanistan, just as Russian can become a language of reconciliation between Russia and Ukraine,” Khorev said.

The remarks highlight the potential role of shared cultural and linguistic ties in promoting dialogue between Afghanistan and Pakistan, whose relations have faced persistent challenges.