The messy situation on the Egyptian-Libyan border, where trucks loaded with goods have been stuck on the Egyptian side for days, is not much better than domestic conditions in both countries. The Libyan authorities had closed down the borders for security reasons associated with the second anniversary of the February 17 revolution. Egyptian trucks seeking entry were, therefore, stopped short, amid reports that the Libyan side had tightened visa requirements. The matter escalated with protests on the part of Bedouins of border areas, who usually enjoyed free movement across the border without a visa and who were said to be denied now such a privilege. The negative effects of such reports were heightened with the Libyan authorities deporting some 115 Egyptian workers. Further trucks had to leave Sallum border crossing to return to where they came from, tonnes of vegetables and fruits rotted, petrol stations along the cross-desert road ran out of diesel through heavy demand and local Bedouins blocked roads, protesting what they deemed continued offence to Egyptian integrity. Such confusion is not, however, unprecedented, since the borders of the two neighbouring countries have witnessed over decades sporadic problems related to entry permits and fees, given the large number of Egyptian workers in Libya. The outbreak of the Arab Spring in both countries was expected to regulate movement and enhance co-operation; but the kind of problems facing both countries, basically due to lack of vision, have so far made stability quite elusive. True as it is that diplomatic efforts are maintained to contain the situation, there has to be a comprehensive outlook on both sides to govern border issues instead of dealing with them piecemeal or whenever a crisis takes place. The relative domestic scenes in both countries are already complicated enough, so there is no need to turn Egypt's western border into a headache.
