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Britain and Libya

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 7 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. Furthermore, we warmly welcome Libya's brave and courageous decision to renounce Weapons of Mass Destruction. To read the Prime Minister's statement in response to the Libyan announcement, click here. 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, most important of which was that by the British Prime Minister in March 2004, when he met Colonel Qadhafi. Hon Mike O'Brien MP has now visited Libya twice, as Minister for Middle East and North African affairs, and then as Trade and Investment Minister, most recently in April 2004. The Libyan Foreign Minister, HE Abdul Rahman Shalgam, visited London in February 2004 and parliamentary delegations have travelled in both directions. The British Government has also offered assistance to Libya in their attempt to restructure the Libyan economy, and facilitated the visit of 4 experts to Libya in January 2004.

Visits which further strengthened people to people links included that by the Qadhafi Foundation Human Rights Association to London in March 2004, 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, and also has a regular programme of educational and cultural visits and activities. The Director-General of the British Council, David Green, visited Libya in December 2003, during which visit a cultural agreement was signed between the two countries. For more information on the activities of the British Council, click here.

Bilateral trade remained healthy throughout the absence of formal relations and saw strong growth in 2003. 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.

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.

Click here for a list of completed UK/Libya bilateral events in 2003.

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