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‘Opening a new chapter’: Syria to reopen embassy in Libya after talks

From Al Jazeera · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Official statement New plan
  • Syria and Libya agreed to reopen Syria’s embassy in Tripoli, which has been closed since 2012, and reactivate a bilateral coordination committee.
  • The two governments also agreed to open a Syrian consulate in Benghazi and discussed security, consular affairs, detainees, refugees, energy and investment.
  • The move follows the restoration of diplomatic ties after Syria’s opposition forces ousted Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Syria and Libya are reopening diplomatic channels after 14 years of separation. Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah agreed to reopen Syria's embassy in Tripoli during talks on Sunday.

The two governments also agreed to establish a Syrian consulate in Benghazi, increasing diplomatic representation in both of Libya's main political spheres. Libya has remained divided since 2014 between Dbeibah's internationally recognised Government of National Unity in Tripoli and an eastern administration backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

Damascus and Tripoli will reactivate the Libyan-Syrian Joint Higher Committee, which operates at prime ministerial level and coordinates political, economic and social relations. Their discussions covered security cooperation, counterterrorism, consular services, and the situation of prisoners, detainees and refugees from both countries.

A new chapter

— Abdul Hamid DbeibahLibya's prime minister described the meeting as the beginning of a renewed relationship between Libya and Syria.

The talks also addressed unpaid financial obligations between Libyan and Syrian institutions. Al-Shaibani separately met Libya's oil and gas minister and the head of the country's investment authority to discuss cooperation in energy and investment.

Syria's embassy in Libya closed in 2012 after Libya's then-Transitional National Council recognised the Syrian opposition and diplomatic relations were severed during Bashar al-Assad's rule. Syrian opposition forces removed Assad in December 2024, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule. In August 2025, a Syrian delegation raised the post-Assad Syrian flag over the Tripoli embassy, signalling that its reopening was near. Dbeibah described the latest meeting as the start of “a new chapter” based on shared interests, practical cooperation and efforts to resolve outstanding issues.

Based on shared interests, practical cooperation and addressing outstanding issues

— Abdul Hamid DbeibahHe outlined the principles he said should guide the two countries' relations.
About this summary

Originally published by Al Jazeera in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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