Britain Reopens its Embassy in Libya After 8 Years Hiatus

Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
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Britain Reopens its Embassy in Libya After 8 Years Hiatus

Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)
Ambassador Caroline Hurndall planting a tree at the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli (British Embassy)

Britain reopened its embassy in Libya after an eight years hiatus. British ambassador Caroline Hurndall announced the reopening at an event celebrating Queen Elisabeth II's official birthday and the Queen's Platinum Jubilee at the old embassy compound in Tripoli.

Hurndall announced the reopening on her Twitter account saying: "I announced this evening that Britain is reopening our British Embassy here in Libya. This is a demonstration of British commitment to the whole of Libya. I am proud our work touches the lives of Libyans across the whole country already."

She reiterated that if "Libya is to fulfill her political and economic potential, Libya's leaders must continue to implement the October Ceasefire Agreement, work together, and pursue compromise, cooperation, and concord. The people of Libya deserve this."

The head of the interim Libyan unity government Abdulhamid Dbeibeh expressed his happiness at Britain's joining of the countries that reopened their embassies.

Dbeibeh stressed the need for this to be reflected in providing better services to Libyan citizens who wish to obtain visas and other services.

He hoped the move would boost bilateral relations between the two countries.

The announcement was made at the embassy's celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years of service to the people of the United Kingdom and her Commonwealth.



Lebanon, Jordan Reopen Airspace

Passengers wait after their flights were delayed or cancelled at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, 13 June 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Passengers wait after their flights were delayed or cancelled at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, 13 June 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Lebanon, Jordan Reopen Airspace

Passengers wait after their flights were delayed or cancelled at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, 13 June 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Passengers wait after their flights were delayed or cancelled at Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, 13 June 2025. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanon reopened its airspace on Saturday at 10:00 am local time (0700 GMT) hours after closing it due to the exchange of fire between Israel and Iran.

Lebanon’s Ministry of Public Works and Transport apologized to passengers whose flights were delayed, saying it had closed the airspace late Friday for the safety of travelers.

Jordan also reopened its airspace at 7:30 a.m. (0530 GMT) Saturday, the civil aviation commission said.

Airlines steered clear of much of the Middle East on Friday after Israeli attacks on Iranian sites forced carriers to cancel or divert thousands of flights in the latest upheaval to travel in the region.