{"id":8756,"date":"2020-01-01T22:21:00","date_gmt":"2020-01-01T20:21:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ly.usembassy.gov\/?p=8756"},"modified":"2026-03-05T17:16:16","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T15:16:16","slug":"policy-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ly.usembassy.gov\/policy-history\/","title":{"rendered":"Policy & History"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPolicy & History \n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/section>\n\n
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How the United States Partners with the Government of Libya and the Libyan People<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

The United States has a strategic interest in a stable and prosperous Libya, and is supporting Libya\u2019s democratic transition in cooperation with the UN and other international partners. Recognizing Libya\u2019s own substantial resources, the United States has focused on building Libyan institutions and increasing its capacity to govern effectively, hold free and fair elections, and manage public finances transparently and responsibly. We have also provided targeted assistance to support the development of Libyan civil society and its security forces. Investing strategically in Libya\u2019s future will help further advance Libya\u2019s democratic transition, promote stability, and strengthen the U.S.-Libya partnership.<\/p>\n

Since February 2011, the United States has provided over $450 million in assistance, mostly in response to urgent humanitarian and security challenges in the immediate aftermath of the beginning of the conflict. We have also focused on supporting capacity building efforts within government institutions, developing civil society, and facilitating free and fair elections. All programs advance key U.S. interests by filling critical capacity gaps within U.S.-Libya identified transition priorities. All projects are being coordinated with the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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History of the U.S. and Libya<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

The first treaty between the United States and Tripoli was signed on June 10, 1805. Thirty years later, the Ottoman Empire reasserted itself over its Libyan provinces, and Libya was taken under Italian control until 1947. The United States recognized the United Kingdom of Libya on December 24, 1951 in a congratulatory message sent by President Harry Truman to King Idris I for declaring independence. At that time, the American Consulate General was elevated to a Legation.<\/p>\n

The Legation in Libya was raised to Embassy status on September 25, 1954. Although relations were not formally severed, the U.S. Embassy at Tripoli closed for the first time on May 2, 1980, and the Libyan People\u2019s Bureau in Washington closed on May 6, 1981, both until 2004. The United States established an Interests Section at the Belgian Embassy in Tripoli on February 8, 2004, transitioning into a U.S. Liaison Office on June 28. Libyan diplomats reestablished a presence in Washington on July 8, 2004, where they opened the Libyan Interests Section as part of the United Arab Emirates Embassy.<\/p>\n

The U.S. and Libya resumed full diplomatic relations in 2006, when the Liaison Office became an Embassy. These relations deteriorated sharply when Mu\u2019ammar al-Qadhafi attempted to suppress an uprising against his regime in 2011, leading to the United States suspending Embassy operations in Tripoli on February 25. The United States ordered the Libyan Government to suspend its Embassy operations in Washington on March 16.<\/p>\n

The United States maintained a diplomatic presence in Benghazi from April 2011 to September 2012, appointing a Special Representative to the Transitional National Council (TNC) in March of the same year. The U.S. Government officially recognized the TNC as the legitimate government of Libya on July 15, 2011. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli resumed operations on September 22, 2011.<\/p>\n

The U.S. Ambassador to Libya, J. Christopher Stevens, and three other American colleagues were killed on September 11, 2012 during an attack on the U.S. Mission in Benghazi. Following the death of Ambassador Stevens, the American Embassy in Tripoli was headed by Charge Greg Hicks.<\/p>\n

On July 26, 2014, Embassy operations in Libya were suspended due to ongoing violence between Libyan militias in the immediate vicinity of the Embassy in Tripoli. The mission was relocated to Valleta, Malta. Today, the U.S. Embassy resides in Tunis, Tunisia and is committed to continuing this relationship despite limited capacity and resources.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Embassy Fact Sheets<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t

U.S.-Libya Relations<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States has a strategic interest in a stable and prosperous Libya, and supports Libya\u2019s democratic transition in cooperation with the UN and other international partners. The United States is focused on promoting the ability of Libyans to maintain a unified and inclusive government that can both secure the country and meet the economic and humanitarian needs of the Libyan people.<\/p>\n

U.S. Assistance to Libya<\/strong><\/p>\n

The United States is committed to providing targeted assistance to build Libyan institutions, promote political reconciliation, and increase Libya\u2019s capacity to govern effectively by holding free and fair elections, securing Libya\u2019s territory, and managing public finances transparently and responsibly. Investing in Libya\u2019s future will help advance Libya\u2019s democratic transition, promote stability, and strengthen the U.S.-Libya partnership.\u00a0 The United States works with the national government, municipal councils, entrepreneurs, and a range of civil society groups, including those representing women and marginalized communities, in their efforts to improve Libyan lives.<\/p>\n

Bilateral Economic Relations\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Oil revenues constitute Libya\u2019s principal source of foreign exchange. Many U.S. companies, particularly in the oil sector, have long-standing investments in Libya.\u00a0 Two-way trade in goods between the United States and Libya totaled nearly $400 million in 2015.\u00a0 The United States also has signed a trade and investment framework agreement with the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, of which Libya is a member.<\/p>\n

Libya\u2019s Membership in International Organizations<\/strong><\/p>\n

Libya and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Libya is an observer to the World Trade Organization.<\/p>\n

Bilateral Representation<\/strong><\/p>\n

Libya maintains an embassy in the United States at 2600 Virginia Avenue NW, Suite 400, Washington DC 20037 (tel: 202-944-9601).<\/p>\n

More information about Libya is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:<\/p>\n