World News
Syria and Libya agree to reopen Syrian embassy in Tripoli after 14-year closure
Diplomatic ties advance as officials meet in Tripoli to restore missions and reactivate a joint bilateral coordination committee.
The short version
- Syria and Libya agreed to reopen the Syrian embassy in Tripoli, which had been closed since 2012, and establish a consulate in Benghazi.
- The agreement reactivates the Libyan-Syrian Joint Higher Committee to coordinate political, economic, and security cooperation.
- Talks between Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah also addressed refugees, detainees, energy, and outstanding financial dues.
Key facts
- Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Tripoli on Sunday.[Al Jazeera]
- The Syrian embassy in Tripoli had been closed since 2012, when Libya's former Transitional National Council cut ties with Bashar al-Assad's government.[Al Jazeera]
- Both sides agreed to open a Syrian consulate in Benghazi and reactivate the Libyan-Syrian Joint Higher Committee.[Al Jazeera]
- Discussions covered counterterrorism, security cooperation, consular services, status of prisoners and refugees, and energy investments.[Al Jazeera]
- Libya remains politically divided between the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity and an eastern-based administration backed by Khalifa Haftar.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- Specific timelines for fully reopening the Tripoli embassy and establishing the Benghazi consulate were not detailed.[Al Jazeera]