Australia–Libya relations

Australia–Libya relations are the bilateral relations between Australia and Libya. The two countries are members of the United Nations.

Australia–Libya relations

Australia	Libya

History

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 January 1978.^[1]

Australia and Libya announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on 4 January 1978.^[2] A Libyan People's Bureau was opened in Canberra and the Australian ambassador to Italy was accredited on a non-resident basis. Concerns about Libyan destabilising activities in the Pacific region, part of a broader sponsorship by Muammar Gaddafi of such activities around the world, led to the expulsion of the Bureau in Canberra in 1987.^[3][4]

As part of the thawing of relations between Libya and Western nations following Gaddafi's post 9-11 policy u-turns, diplomatic relations were restored in 2002, the Libyan People's Bureau reopened in Canberra and the Australian ambassador in Rome resumed non-resident accreditation. This has remained the case, though with the Bureau's name reverting to embassy following the overthrow of Gaddafi.

Australia was a major non-military backer of the revolutionaries during the Libyan Civil War, sending more humanitarian aid to Libya than any other single country after the United States.^[5][6] It was relatively early to recognise the NTC, doing so on 9 June 2011, months before the capture of Tripoli.^[7][8]

In December 2011 Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd traveled to Libya to meet with Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib. Rudd ceremonially hoisted the flag of Australia at his country's consul-general in Tripoli and pledged Canberra's support for efforts to remove unexploded landmines in Libya, as well as advice on Libya's planned transition to democratic governance.^[9]

Resident diplomatic missions

• Libya has an embassy in Canberra.
• Australia is accredited to Libya from its embassy in Cairo.

References

1. "Diplomatic and Consular Relations: Diplomatic and Consular Relations" [1980] AUYrBkIntLaw 19; (1978–1980) 8 Australian Year Book of International Law 392". Australian Year Book of International Law. Retrieved 3 November 2023.
2. • Relations with Libya* Australian Foreign Affairs Record Vol. 49 No. 1 January 1978, page 51. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
3. • Prime Minister's Media Statement 19 May 1987* Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 February 2022
4. • Libya: Military activities in the South Pacific. Australian Foreign Affairs Record Vol. 58 No. 5 (May 1987) page 270. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
5. "Australia Supports the New Libya at International Conference". Australian Minister of Trade. 1 September 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
6. Willingham, Richard (28 April 2011). "Australia Funding Libyan Evacuation Ship, Reveals Rudd". The Age. Retrieved 30 April 2011.
7. "Australia's FM says Libyan opposition NTC only representative of Libya". Xinhua. 9 June 2011. Archived from the original on June 10, 2011. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
8. Oakes, Dan (10 June 2011). "Canberra backs new Libya". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 10 June 2011.
9. Pollard, Ruth (10 December 2011). "Australia extends a helping hand to Libya". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 January 2012.