Britain and Libya resumed diplomatic relations in July 1999, and a British Ambassador took up post in December 1999. Both countries are committed to developing their relations.  Our two countries have much to gain from better understanding and closer cooperation.  We are working to build on long-standing links and promote the formation of new ties.

The Joint Statement of July 1999 reiterated the principles of peaceful resolution of disputes and cooperation in international efforts against terrorism.  More widely, the UK is looking to work with Libya in the interests of international security and the elimination of the threat posed by Weapons of Mass Destruction, to promote development and to advance the rule of law and fundamental human rights.

We are pleased that UN sanctions on Libya related to the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 over Lockerbie have now been lifted and the matter resolved.  There are other outstanding bilateral and multilateral issues, which remain important to the British Government’s view of relations with Libya.  These include the death of WPC Fletcher, and we look for the cooperation promised by the Libyan authorities on matters such as this.

Britain and Libya share a commitment to peace and stability in Africa along with social and economic development there.  The British Government supported the launch of the African Union in July 2002 and we are engaged in dialogue with Libya on a number of African issues of mutual interest, including the situation in Sudan, Somalia, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone and the Central African Republic.  We also have a common interest in seeing a just, comprehensive and stable solution to the problems of the Middle East.

Libya is a close geographical neighbour to Britain and Europe.  There is much potential for increased dialogue and closer cooperation, whether through the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, or in other fora. We are pleased that a dialogue between the EU and Libya has begun on the issue of migration.

A growing number of bilateral visits and exchanges have taken place in recent years in the political, economic, commercial and cultural fields.  The FCO Minister for Middle East & North African affairs, Hon Mike O’Brien MP, visited Libya in August 2002, and held meetings with senior Ministers and Colonel Qadhafi.  A British parliamentary delegation visited Libya in March 2001 and a Libyan parliamentary delegation, led by the Secretary for Foreign Affairs at the General People’s Congress, visited the UK in June 2002.  The Libyan Secretary for Transport and Communications also visited in September 2001 and the Secretary of the National Oil Corporation in October 2002.  Visits which further strengthened people to people links included that by a British non-governmental delegation in February 2002, covering the academic, youth, cultural and media sectors, and that of 8 Libyan legal experts to London in March 2003. Libyan officials regularly attend conferences at the Wilton Park Conference Centre in Sussex, and a delegation from the International Centre for Prison Studies visited Libya in October 2003.

Educational and NGO links are an important component of British-Libyan relations.  Many Libyans already study in the UK and some institutional links have been formed.  The Embassy’s Chevening Scholarship Scheme, launched in Libya in 2000, enables promising Libyan students to undertake postgraduate studies in the UK.  The British Council, which returned to Libya in September 2000, is playing a significant role.  It is working particularly to promote educational opportunities and exchange.  In this context, it sponsored a visit to the UK by seven Libyan University Vice-Chancellors in November 2001.  Among other events organised by the British Council was the visit to Libya in February 2003 of the British writers Maggie Gee and Fadia Faqir, who participated in a number of cultural events.  The Vice-Chancellor of Exeter University also visited Libya in the same month, meeting Colonel Qadhafi, and the Director of the Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies visited in June. For more information on the activities of the British Council, click here: The British Council in Libya

Bilateral trade remained healthy throughout the absence of formal relations and saw strong growth in 2002. There is an ongoing programme of regular visits by British trade missions whose members are interested in a wide range of industrial sectors, from construction to tourism, and from oil to water. A large number of UK companies are also well-established in Libya and a local British Business Group (BBG) has been formed. For more information, click here: British Business Group.

There is therefore much potential for building on existing ties and for developing a stronger bilateral relationship to the benefit of both countries. Please contact the Embassy to find out more.