China to reopen embassy in Libyan capital

The Libyan foreign minister has met with the Chinese charges'd'affairs and discussed the reopening of the Chinese embassy in Tripoli, which has been closed since the Libyan civil war.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff

02 April, 2021

China closed its embassy in Tripoli following the Libyan civil war in 2011 [Getty]

China will reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital Tripoli, local reports said, after Chinese charges'd'affairs in Libya Wang Qimin met with the Libyan foreign minister Najla Al-Mangoush on Wednesday.

The reopening of the embassy will allow Chinese companies to take part in the rebuilding of Libya and follow up on suspended projects, which were halted due to the war, Qimin said.

Beijing will also open a new consulate in Benghazi, Qimin added.

China closed its embassy in Tripoli following the Libyan civil war in 2011, when the North African country descended into chaos after dictator Moammar Ghaddafi was toppled and killed in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising, resulting in multiple forces vying for power.

Fighting only came to a halt last summer, and a formal ceasefire in October was followed by the establishment last week of a new unity government led by interim Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah.

With the election of Dbeibah, several countries who had a reduced diplomatic presence inside Libya are now looking to return.

Last month, France also announced that it will reopen its embassy in Tripoli.

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