As responsible Libyan parties come together in UN-facilitated peaceful dialogue, the U.S. Embassy is encouraged by an apparent sovereign Libyan agreement to enable the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume its vital and apolitical work. In an exchange of letters between Ambassador Norland and Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Haftar, as well as in recent …
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During his visit to Tunisia on Wednesday, U.S. Africa Command Commander, U.S. Army General Stephen Townsend also met with the U.S. Ambassador to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland to discuss recent political and security developments in Libya. During the meeting, the two spoke via video conference call with newly-appointed Libyan Minister of Defense Salah Eddine al-Namrush …
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Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York, New York September 2, 2020 AS DELIVERED Thank you, Abarry. Congratulations on your presidency this month. And a special thank you to Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams for your commitment to UNSMIL and the people of Libya. Libya is at a critical juncture. …
Read More» Ambassador Norland spoke with Libyan political figures and officials on Sunday and Monday to assess progress in operationalizing the statements issued on Friday regarding a ceasefire and resumption of oil production in Libya. He told Prime Minister Sarraj in a phone call on Sunday that the GNA’s statement, along with that issued by House of …
Read More» On Wednesday in Ankara, Ambassador Norland consulted with senior Turkish officials about the urgent need to support Libyan voices genuinely seeking an end to the conflict and return to UN-facilitated political dialogue, with full respect for Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The visit, which followed phone calls between President Trump and President Erdogan, discussed steps …
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Ambassador Norland traveled to Cairo today, following recent discussions about Libya between President Trump and President al-Sisi as well as Secretary Pompeo and Foreign Minister Shoukry, to consult with senior Egyptian officials about steps to achieve a lasting ceasefire, realize a full withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, and support UN-facilitated political dialogue. With our Egyptian …
Read More» On August 7, Ambassador Norland spoke by telephone with Prime Minister al-Sarraj to receive an update on efforts to finalize a Libyan solution that would consolidate a lasting ceasefire, promote transparency in economic institutions, and advance the political process under UN auspices. The Ambassador commended the Prime Minister’s leadership as responsible Libyan parties come together …
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A U.S. delegation, led by National Security Council Senior Director for the Middle East and North Africa Major General Miguel Correa and Ambassador Richard Norland, held virtual discussions with Libyan officials on August 7 to advance concrete, urgent steps to find a demilitarized solution for Sirte and al-Jufra, and reopen Libya’s oil sector with full transparency. In separate …
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OneBeat Sahara will bring together 25 musicians from seven countries in the Saharan Region and the U.S. to collaboratively create original work and to develop a global network of civically engaged music initiatives. During this 3-week program, OneBeat Sahara Fellows will explore black diasporic musical traditions that traveled from Africa to the Americas, and back …
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Today, the United States imposed financial sanctions on a network of smugglers contributing to the instability in Libya. These individuals include Libyan national Faysal al-Wadi (Wadi), operator of the vessel Maraya, and his two associates, Musbah Mohamad M Wadi (Musbah) and Nourddin Milood M Musbah (Nourddin), and the Malta-based company, Alwefq Ltd. The U.S. Department …
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On behalf of the U.S. Administration, National Security Adviser Ambassador Robert C. O’Brien specifically called “on all responsible parties […] to enable the National Oil Corporation to resume its vital work – with full transparency, implement a demilitarized solution for Sirte and al-Jufra, [and] respect the UN arms embargo.” ———————————————————– Statement from National Security Adviser …
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Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris today visited Benghazi, Libya to consult with a range of Libyan officials about achieving a demilitarized solution at Sirte and al-Jufra, enabling the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to resume its vital work nationwide, and seizing the opportunity presented by UN-facilitated dialogue to finalize a lasting ceasefire and roadmap for the withdrawal …
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Today, Chargé d’Affaires Joshua Harris visited Misrata, Libya to consult with Libyan leaders about forestalling military escalation in Sirte and al-Jufra; reopening Libya’s energy sector; and intensifying Libyan efforts to demobilize, disarm, and reintegrate violent militias. In meetings with Deputy Prime Minister Ahmed Maiteeg and Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha, Chargé Harris reiterated U.S. support …
Read More» MEDIA NOTE OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON JULY 7, 2020 The United States has long been the destination of choice for international students, and we are pleased that many international students who had planned to study this fall in the United States may still have the opportunity to do so. The Department of Homeland Security has …
Read More» As part of the ongoing Berlin process, experts of the Economic Working Group of the International Follow-up Committee on Libya met virtually on July 6, in the presence of Acting Special Representative of the Secretary-General Stephanie Williams and National Oil Corporation (NOC) Chairman Mustafa Sanalla, to reiterate full support for the NOC as it lifts …
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The American Cemetery TRIPOLI, LIBYA The Protestant Cemetery in Tripoli, also known as the American Cemetery, holds the remains of heroes from the Barbary Wars (1801–1805), the United States’ first overseas war. In September 1804, Lieutenant Richard Somers loaded his ship, the U.S.S. Intrepid, with explosives and set out to destroy the Bey of Tripoli’s …
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U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland and Commander of U.S. Africa Command, General Stephen Townsend met with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj on June 22, 2020 in Zuwara, located in western Libya. In the context of escalating foreign intervention in Libya, the meeting focused on current opportunities for a strategic pause in military operations by …
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In commemoration of #WorldRefugeeDay , U.S. Embassy staff are taking steps in solidarity with refugees, many of whom are forced to undertake extraordinary and dangerous journeys to escape persecution and violence. UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency ‘s global #StepWithRefugees campaign encourages people around the world to register their steps at stepwithrefugees.org to honor the resilience of refugees and raise awareness about their challenges. …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland spoke today with Foreign Minister Mohammed Taher Siala to reiterate horror at alleged human rights abuses that have been perpetrated with impunity by parties to the Libya conflict. Ambassador Norland conveyed his deep concern at the mass graves discovered in Tarhouna, at the use of mines and booby-traps in civilian neighborhoods in southern Tripoli, and …
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SPECIAL BRIEFING DAVID SCHENKER, ASSISTANT SECRETARY BUREAU OF NEAR EASTERN AFFAIRS VIA TELECONFERENCE JUNE 11, 2020 Opening Statement on Libya And this week we have also been focused on Libya. Despite the end of the LNA’s siege on Tripoli and last weekend’s event in Cairo, which brought eastern Libyan leaders together and opened the way …
Read More» The U.S. Embassy shares immediate concerns about yet another humanitarian crisis in Libya, this time in Sirte. Having worked with Libyans and others in the international community to help Sirte recover following the ISIS occupation, there is a special interest in ensuring the people of this city do not have to experience another devastating battle …
Read More» U.S Department of State Special Briefing via Telephone Richard Norland, U.S. Ambassador to Libya June 4, 2020 Moderator: Good morning and good afternoon to everyone from the Department of State’s Dubai Regional Hub. I would like to welcome our participants dialing in from the United States and around the world for this on-the-record press briefing with …
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US Ambassador Richard Norland on Monday joined the US Ambassador to Tunisia, Donald Blome, in a Memorial Day event at the American Military Cemetery in Tunis. Each year, this ceremony is held to commemorate those brave Americans who died in North Africa during World War II in the fight against tyranny. Today’s event was a …
Read More» Ambassador Norland spoke with Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj on May 22 to reiterate the urgent need to end the destabilizing flow of Russian and other foreign military equipment and mercenaries into Libya and welcome the Government of National Accord’s important contributions to defeating terrorism and achieving peace. As Secretary Pompeo and Prime Minister al-Sarraj discussed …
Read More» Secretary Pompeo’s Phone Call with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj READOUT OFFICE OF THE SPOKESPERSON MAY 22, 2020 The below is attributable to Spokesperson Morgan Ortagus: Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo spoke today with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj to reiterate U.S. opposition to the continued level of weapons and munitions being brought into the …
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While we cannot break our fast together in person this year, Ambassador Norland was inspired to speak with Libyan students in the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) exchange program who have been able to share their favorite Libyan Ramadan traditions with their host families and friends in the United States. Hearing about the accomplishments …
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The United States announced plans to contribute an additional $6.5 million USD to Libya in support of its COVID-19 response, bringing the total U.S. contribution to over $12 million USD. This $12 million USD in funding will be used to expand Libyan medical authorities’ ability to detect, prevent and control the spread of COVID-19 in …
Read More» Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ambassador James Jeffrey, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Henry Wooster, and Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Christoper Robinson On Russian Engagement in the Middle East Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release ON-THE-RECORD-BRIEFING May 7, …
Read More» The Embassy welcomes the announcement by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) of its successful restructuring of the Brega Petroleum Marketing Company (BPMC), which underscores that a brighter and more prosperous future is possible when responsible Libyan parties come together in peaceful dialogue. The NOC and its subsidiaries must remain apolitical, technically proficient, and appropriately resourced …
Read More» Ambassador Norland and HOR Speaker Agilah Saleh spoke on Thursday and agreed on the importance of respect for democratic processes and the need to avoid individual attempts to unilaterally dictate Libya’s political future using armed force. They agreed that there is no military solution in Libya, on rejecting an approach of imposing facts on the …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador to Libya Richard Norland held a conversation with Libya’s Minister of Planning Taher Al-Jehaimi on April 28 to discuss Libya’s COVID-19 response and the United States’ ongoing commitment to help Libya through the pandemic. There is currently a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) between the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador Norland and Prime Minister al-Sarraj conferred by telephone today. Ambassador Norland reiterated the U.S. position, affirmed by the UN Security Council, that the Libyan Political Agreement and its associated institutions, including the Government of National Accord (GNA), are the sole internationally recognized framework for Libya’s governance and political transition. The Ambassador reiterated …
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US Ambassador Richard Norland April 23, 2020 Assalamou Alaykom Ramadan Kareem I would like to express my warmest greetings to the Libyan people on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan. May this month of blessings bring joy, peace and prosperity to you and your family. Unfortunately, many Libyan families are suffering right now …
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UNHCR-Libya Chief of Mission Briefs US Ambassador on Support to Vulnerable Populations, COVID-19 Response US Ambassador Richard Norland convened a virtual meeting on April 20 with Mr. Jean-Paul Cavalieri, Chief of Mission of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in Libya, who briefed the Ambassador and Embassy staff on UNHCR’s critical activities benefiting …
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Announcing U.S. Embassy Libya’s Fulbright Student Program and Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program for 2021-2022 U.S. Embassy Libya is pleased to announce the opening of two Fulbright program competitions for the 2021-2022 academic year: the Fulbright Foreign Student Program and Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant Program. These exchange programs are funded by the U.S. Department …
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U.S. Ambassador Richard Norland participated in a virtual briefing on April 8 led by the World Food Programme’s (WFP) Country Director, Samer AbdelJaber, who provided an overview of WFP’s crucial food aid for vulnerable families in Libya. Mr. AbdelJaber also described WFP’s ongoing coordination with the National Center for Disease Control, Ministry of Education, Ministry …
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Ambassador Norland participated in a virtual meeting on April 3 led by UNICEF’s Special Representative to Libya, Abdel-Rahman Ghandour, who provided Embassy staff with a briefing on UNICEF’s vital assistance to children in Libya. In addition, Mr. Ghandour described UNICEF’s ongoing coordination with the World Health Organization, the Ministry of Health (MoH), the National Center …
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Ambassador Norland participated in a virtual briefing on April 2 led by the Chief of Mission of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for Libya, Federico Soda, who provided an update on IOM’s crucial and lifesaving assistance to Libya’s most vulnerable populations, including migrants and internally-displaced persons (IPDs). In addition, IOM briefed on the organization’s …
Read More» The US will provide $6 million in additional humanitarian assistance to Libya in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Embassy to Libya announced today. These funds will help health officials to prevent the spread of the disease and to respond to those in need who’ve contracted the disease or who are most vulnerable to …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE MARCH 26, 2020 The U.S. government has rapidly mobilized unprecedented resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, both at home and abroad. Today, I am pleased to announce that the United States has made available nearly $274 million in emergency health and humanitarian funding. Along with the …
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This is a public letter from the Ambassador of the United States to Libya, Richard Norland, to Libya’s political and military leadership and the people of Libya. I am writing out of deep concern regarding a lethal threat to Libya that looms on the horizon. Without a robust, unified response, COVID-19 could rapidly provoke a …
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Ambassador Norland participated in a virtual briefing on March 24 led by the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) for Libya, Elizabeth Hoff, who provided U.S. government implementing partners an overview of international efforts to assist Libyan health authorities and local leaders in addressing ongoing public health challenges as well as preparing for the …
Read More» PRESS STATEMENT MORGAN ORTAGUS, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON MARCH 21, 2020 The United States joins the UN Support Mission in Libya in welcoming the decision of Libyan Prime Minister al-Sarraj to endorse an immediate humanitarian cessation of hostilities to allow local authorities to come together in response to the unprecedented public health challenge posed by COVID-19. Libyan …
Read More» The Embassies of Algeria, Canada, China, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States along with the Delegation of the European Union and the Governments of Tunisia and the United Arab Emirates call on all parties in the Libya conflict to declare an immediate, humanitarian cessation of hostilities as well …
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Ambassador Richard Norland met on March 11 with Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj in Pretoria, South Africa to discuss international efforts in support of a political solution to the conflict in Libya. This was Ambassador Norland’s fourth meeting with PM Sarraj since the Ambassador assumed his duties in August last year. Ambassador Norland thanked the …
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Ambassador Mark Green, Administrator to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), arrived in Tunis, Tunisia on February 16 for a series of discussions about USAID assistance programming in Libya. His visit was part of a joint trip focused on USAID programming in Libya and Tunisia. Administrator Green met with the U.S. Ambassador to …
Read More» U.S. Ambassador Norland paid his first visit to Libya and met with General Haftar to reaffirm the importance of a negotiated settlement. The Ambassador noted General Haftar’s stated commitment to a permanent ceasefire and reiterated the commitment of the Berlin participants to de-escalation, the arms embargo, and a political solution to the conflict. The Ambassador …
Read More» Ambassador Cherith Norman Chalet Acting Deputy Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York, New York February 12, 2020 AS DELIVERED Thank you, Mr. President. First off, I’d like to thank the United Kingdom as penholder for proposing this draft resolution that was just adopted. However, I do want to note that we …
Read More» Statement by David Schenker Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Testimony before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee February 12, 2020 Chairman Risch, Ranking Member Menendez, Members of the committee: Thank you for this opportunity to discuss U.S. Libya policy. The best way to address this crisis is to stop the fighting that started in …
Read More» The U.S. Embassy to Libya is pleased to announce that applications are now being accepted for fully-funded master’s degree studies in the United States under the J. William Fulbright Scholarship Program. This program enables Libyan students to study for up to two years, starting from the fall of 2021, towards a Master’s degree at select …
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Ambassador Kelly Craft Permanent Representative U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York, New York January 30, 2020 AS DELIVERED Thank you Mr. President. Thank you Special Representative Salame for your update on the increasingly alarming situation in Libya. Less than two weeks ago, international leaders gathered in Berlin, where they called for a sustained …
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Secretary Michael R. Pompeo Remarks to Traveling Press REMARKS MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE EN ROUTE TO LAJES THE AZORES, PORTUGAL JANUARY 19, 2020 SECRETARY POMPEO: So just a couple things, then I’m happy to take a few questions. First of all, I’m sure you’ve seen the reporting from Colombia that there was a ship that had an accident. There …
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The Berlin Conference on Libya CONFERENCE CONCLUSIONS Press release 31 Sunday, 19 January 2020 The Press and Information Office of the Federal Government 1. Today’s Berlin Conference on Libya, at the invitation of German Chancellor Merkel, has gathered the Governments of Algeria, China, Egypt, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, Turkey, the Republic of the Congo, United …
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Germany JANUARY 19, 2020 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi JANUARY 19, 2020 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with European Union High Representative Josep Borrell JANUARY 19, 2020 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas JANUARY 19, 2020 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates JANUARY 19, 2020 Secretary Pompeo’s Meeting with Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu Trip Preview JANUARY 16, 2020 Senior State Department Officials Previewing Secretary Pompeo’s Trip to Germany, Colombia, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and Florida
Read More» U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson For Immediate Release Statement by Secretary MICHAEL R. POMPEO January 11, 2020 Freedom First in 2020 President Trump has proclaimed January as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. Global estimates indicate that as many as 24.9 million people – adults and children – are …
Read More» The U.S. Embassy strongly condemns the military escalation in Tripoli in recent days, including the January 4 attack by LNA-affiliated forces against the Hadaba military college that reportedly killed at least 30 students training to be a professional security force for the Libyan capital. We also condemn attacks in recent days against Tripoli’s Matiga Airport …
Read More» Notice of Funding Opportunity: Libyan Alumni Seminar 2020 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE U.S. Embassy Libya Funding Opportunity Title: Libyan Alumni Seminar 2020 Funding Opportunity Number: PAS-LIBYA-FY20-01 Deadline for Applications: Friday January 17, 2020 CFDA Number: …
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When students at three schools in downtown Benghazi returned to class last week, they found their classrooms now contained essential equipment like desks, whiteboards, IT equipment, and other vital supplies. The equipment was provided by USAID to enable the resumption of normal operations at these schools, two of which were previously rehabilitated by UNDP’s Stabilization Facility for Libya …
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The TechWomen Program is now open for applications! TechWomen brings emerging women leaders in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) from Africa, Central Asia and the Middle East together with their professional American counterparts for a mentorship and exchange program. TechWomen provides participants access to networks, resources, and knowledge to empower them to reach their …
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Submissions: The deadline for submitting a proposal is November 18, 2019. Proposals must be submitted in English, using the application form provided by the U.S. Embassy to Libya. PLEASE CLICK HERE Please click here to download useful resources, guidance and documentation (AFCP Budget Sheet, AFCP Glossary of Terms, General Guidelines for Images, Useful Resources). The full application package (proposal, …
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At a ceremony in Tunis on October 10, the United States Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Government of Libya, through the Ministry of Planning, signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) for enhancing their partnership. The MOI is based on the shared values of strengthening the foundations of a unified …
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WASHINGTON – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) International Operations Division Chief Leo Lin returned a sixth century marble statue known as the “Head of a Veiled Woman,” during a repatriation ceremony at the Libyan Embassy, Thursday. “As a federal law enforcement agency with a global reach, HSI is a leader …
Read More» Joint statement by the Ambassadors and Chargés d’Affaires of France, Germany, Italy, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates , the United Kingdom and the United States of America: We fully support Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) as the country’s sole independent, legitimate and nonpartisan oil company. Now is the time to consolidate national economic institutions rather …
Read More» The Embassy of the United States of America calls on all parties in Libya to redouble their efforts to protect civilians and prevent damage to civilian infrastructure. In particular, we urge an immediate de-escalation and halt to attacks against Matiga Airport in Tripoli, which endangered Libyan civilians seeking to perform the Hajj pilgrimage on August …
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USAID/Libya Women’s Economic Empowerment Conference On July 18-19, 2019, USAID/Libya convened a cross section of prominent Libyan business women, activists, and Libyan local government representatives for a Women’s Economic Empowerment conference in Tunis, Tunisia to discuss opportunities and constraints to entrepreneurship and political participation for women in Libya. The event follows the recent announcement of …
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Read the State Department’s new report detailing the magnitude of the Iranian regime’s destructive behavior at home and abroad. The report covers Iran’s support for terrorism, its missile program, illicit financial activities, threats to maritime security and cybersecurity, human rights abuses, as well as environmental exploitation. Download the report here» (pdf) Confronting Iran: The Trump Administration’s Strategy
Read More» The Governments of France, Italy, the United Kingdom, and the United States welcome the result of the mediation reached today by the United Nations Support Mission that aims to deescalate violence in and around Tripoli and ensure the protection of civilians. We reiterate our strong support for Special Representative of the Secretary-General Ghassan Salame as …
Read More» The United States strongly condemns the recent attacks on the Libyan oil ports of Ras Lanuf and Al Sidra, and calls for an immediate end to the violence that is damaging Libya’s vital national infrastructure. Oil facilities, production, and revenues belong to the Libyan people and must remain under the sole oversight of the Government …
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