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Syria has reopened its embassy in Libya’s capital, Tripoli, more than a decade after diplomatic relations between the two countries were disrupted by conflicts and political upheaval.
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani hailed the reopening on Sunday, describing it as an important step towards restoring and strengthening relations between the two countries.
Shaibani was received by Libya’s Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, who heads the UN-recognised administration in Tripoli, and also held talks with Libya’s acting Foreign Minister, Taher al-Baour.
“Today, this embassy returns to reaffirm the importance and value of the Syrian-Libyan relationship,” Shaibani said.
The Syrian embassy was closed in 2012 amid Syria’s civil war and the political turmoil that followed the overthrow of longtime Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi.
A delegation from Damascus symbolically reopened the embassy last year, but consular services did not immediately resume.
Shaibani said the embassy would now provide administrative support to Syrians who sought refuge in Libya during years of conflict, when Syria had no diplomatic representation in the country.
“This embassy will handle the administrative follow-up for Syrians who took refuge in Libya during the years of war, at a time when there was no longer any diplomatic representation, since Tripoli had broken off relations with the former regime,” he said.
According to Syria’s state news agency, SANA, about 200,000 Syrians are estimated to be living in Libya.
Syria’s political landscape changed significantly in December 2024 when opposition forces ousted longtime President Bashar al-Assad, ending nearly 14 years of civil war and ushering in a new administration in Damascus.
The reopening of the embassy is part of efforts by Syria’s new authorities to rebuild diplomatic ties and restore relations with countries affected by the long-running conflict.
Shaibani said Syria and Libya had also agreed to strengthen cooperation on security matters, particularly in tackling illegal migration, drug trafficking and terrorist organisations.
The two countries are expected to deepen diplomatic and security coordination as Damascus seeks to re-establish its international relations following years of isolation and conflict.
