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Bilateral Relations

Libya

The Embassy of Greece in Tripoli suspended its operation on 31.07.2014 and reopened in 06.04.2021. Libya maintains an Embassy in Athens. Greece also operates a Consulate General in Benghazi since June 2021.

Bilateral Relations

Political Relations
Economic Relations
Cultural Relations and Greek Community
Useful Information
The geographical proximity and the historical presence of the Greek element in the region of Cyrenaica bind the two countries and its peoples with historical ties and a long-standing friendship. The close relations of the two countries are reflected in the network of bilateral agreements, which covers a wide range of areas. During the revolution of 2011, but also afterwards, our country provided assistance to Libya, both at the political and the humanitarian level, with a significant number of injured Libyans treated in Greek hospitals. Since July 2014, when the country entered a period of civil conflict, the Greek Embassy in Tripoli suspended, for safety reasons, its operation (since 31.07.2014), together with the overwhelming majority of foreign diplomatic Missions. At the same time, Greece proceeded with the evacuation of 186 Greek and foreign citizens (Chinese, Cypriots, Belgian, British) who arrived at the port of Piraeus on board of the Greek Navy frigate ‘’Salamis’’. After the signing of the Memorandum on the Delimitation of Maritime Zones between the appointed by the UN transitional Government of National Accord (GNA) of Libya and Turkey, the relations between our country and the GNA were strained.  The above-mentioned Memorandum is illegal, null and void, as it was concluded violating the sovereign rights of Greece and other countries in the region and therefore poses a potential threat to regional stability and peace. The Ceasefire Agreement (23.10.2020), between the warring parties, namely the Libyan National Army (LNA) under Marshal Haftar and military forces supporting the GNA, under the transitional Prime Minister at the time,Sarraj, permitted the cease of the hostilities between East and West and the intensification of efforts, with the UN mediation, for a political settlement of the crisis. In this context the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF) of the United Nations elected (5.2.2021) a new transitional Executive Authority under the President of the Presidential Council Mohammed Younis Menfi, and the Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity (GNU) Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah. The latter’s mandate was to lead the county to elections within a UN-defined term of office  until 22.6.2022. In light of the above mentioned develpments, Greece immediately expressed its support to the GNU, and decided the reopening of its Embassy in Tripoli. After invitation from Prime Minister Dbeibah, the Greek Prıme Minister Mitsotakis paid an offcial visit in 6.04.2021 in Tripoli where he met the President of the Presidential Council Mr. Menfi and the Prime Minister Mr. Dbeibah and attended the ceremony of the reopening of the Greek Embassy The positive climate in our bilateral relations, however, was once more affected with the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation for Hydrocarbon Exploration and Exploitation between GNU and Turkey, which was concluded by the GNU after the expiration of its mandate. This MoU is a follow-up to the previous illegal Memorandum of 2019. Therefore it may have destabilizing consequences for security and peace in the region, if its application is attempted in areas where our country has sovereign rights. Greece supports the solution of the Libyan issue by holding fair and free elections, without outside interference, and advocates for the election of a representative government in the country and the withdrawal of foreign fighters, forces and mercenaries from Libyan soil. In this context, Greece, supports the efforts to achieve a final political solution of Libyan ownership, according to the relevant decisions of the UNSC and the Conclusions of the Berlin Process, which provide for the respect of the ceasefire and the arms embargo, the withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries and military bases, as well as the termination of all interventions by third countries. Together with its EU and UN partners, Greece participates constructively in the efforts of the international community for the resolution of the Libyan issue. In this context, Greece, took part in the first Ministerial Meeting for Libya on the margins of the 76th UNGA (22.9.2021), in the first Ministerial Summit of the Libyan Stabilization Group (Tripoli, 21.10.2021), as well as the Summit for Libya, which was organized by France (Paris 12.11.2021). Concerning the pending bilateral matter of designation of maritime zones, Greece intends to resume the negotiations, when the circumstances will allow it.

Contact details for Greek Missions

Tripoli

Embassy

18, Jelal Bayar St, Dahra, Tripoli (P.O.Box 5147)
Tel: +21821 3336978, 3338563
Emergency Tel: +218 919570700
Time Difference: S: 0 W:-1h
Working Hours: 9.00-17.00
gremb.tri@mfa.gr 
Head of Mission: Nikolaos Garilidis, Ambassador

Tripoli

Consular Office

18,  Jelal Bayar St, Dahra, Tripoli (P.O.Box 5147)
Tel: +218 21 3337056
Emergency Tel: +218 91 95 70 700
grcon.tri@mfa.gr visa.section.tri@mfa.gr 
Head: Nikolaos Kortesis, Attaché

Tripoli

Office for Economic and Commercial Affairs

18,  Jelal Bayar St, Dahra, Tripoli (P.O.Box 5147)
Tel: +21821  3338569
ecocom-tripoli@mfa.gr

Tripoli

Defense Attaché

18, Jelal Bayar str, Dahra, (P.O.Box 5147)
Tel: +21821 3336978, 3338569
defatt_lby@hndgs.mil.gr 
Head: Captain (N) Lazaros Sidiropoulos - HN

Benghazi

Consulate General in Benghazi

Benghazi European School, Greek Community Cultural Center, Foahat Rahaba, Benghazi, Libya (P.O. Box 300)
Tel: +218912833126, +218918658219
Emergency Tel: +21891 8658219
Time Difference: W:0 S:-1h
Working Hours: 09:00 - 16:30
grgencon.beng@mfa.gr 
Consul General: Agapios Kalognomis, First Counsellor of Embassy