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Embassy Reopens in Tripoli
Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani reopened Syria’s embassy in Tripoli on Sunday after a closure of more than 14 years, as part of steps to reorganize and activate Syria’s diplomatic missions abroad.
“reopened his country’s embassy in Tripoli, after a closure of more than 14 years”
Aajil said the reopening came as the foreign minister, who is also described as Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister of the Syrian Arab Republic, visited Tripoli to strengthen relations between Syria and Libya and to safeguard the interests of Syrian citizens abroad.
Al Jazeera reported that the agreement to reopen the embassy in Tripoli followed talks between Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah of Libya’s internationally recognised government and Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani, with the embassy closed for 14 years.
Al Jazeera also said the talks covered security cooperation and counterterrorism, and discussed consular services and the status of prisoners, detainees and refugees from both countries.
Committee, Consulate, and Talks
Al-Shaibani discussed with Libyan acting Foreign Minister and International Cooperation Taheer Al-Baour ways to advance Libyan-Syrian relations and enhance coordination and consultation between the two countries, according to a statement from the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Akhir Khabar said the discussions also touched on completing procedures related to activating the Libyan-Syrian Higher Committee and signing the agreement governing its work, which would open wider prospects for cooperation in economic and developmental fields.
Al Jazeera reported that Dbeibah and al-Shaibani agreed to open a Syrian consulate in Benghazi, raising the level of diplomatic representation between the two states.
Al Jazeera added that the talks covered unresolved financial dues between Libyan and Syrian institutions, alongside energy and investment cooperation discussed when the Syrian foreign minister met Libya’s oil and gas minister and the country’s investment authority chief.
Syrians in Libya at Stake
Aajil said the reopening aimed to serve the interests of Syrian expatriates, and it framed the embassy as part of Syria’s efforts to activate diplomatic missions abroad.
“estimated at around 200,000 people, spread across the country but with significant presence in Tripoli and Benghazi”
Anadolu Ajansı estimated that the Syrian community in Libya is around 200,000 people, spread across the country but with significant presence in Tripoli and Benghazi.
Al Jazeera reported that the two sides discussed consular services and the status of prisoners, detainees and refugees from both countries, linking the reopened embassy and broader diplomatic engagement to concrete consular follow-up.
Al Jazeera also said the Syrian opposition forces ousted al-Assad in December 2024, ending 61 years of Baath Party rule, and it described the reopening as part of a shift in diplomatic relations after the embassy had been closed since 2012.