1977 expulsion of Egyptians from Libya

In the 1970s, Gaddafi pursued Arab unity, resulting in the creation of the Federation of Arab Republics in 1972 with Egypt and Syria. However, the FAR only achieved symbolic gestures of unity, despite initial ambitions for military consolidation.^[1]

Gaddafi pushed for unity with Egypt, but Anwar Sadat's interest waned, Sadat developed personal animosity towards Gaddafi. Gaddafi aimed to eliminate Israel, hoping to leverage Libya's finances and Egypt's strength in a potential conflict. However, The Yom Kippur War in 1973, initiated by Egypt and Syria without Libya's consultation, proved a turning point, Sadat's decision to negotiate and ratify a ceasefire agreement with Israel for the return of the Sinai Peninsula angered Gaddafi, Gaddafi saw the war objectives and the resistance movement as too limited, describing the resistance movement as "Non-existent" and that it has been finished off by the Arabs in collaboration with Israel,^[2] Meanwhile, Sadat, also criticized and accused Gaddafi for subversive activities in Egypt, leading to strained relations.^[3][4][5] Gaddafi then began to regularly expel migrant workers to put Sadat under pressure.^[6]