Libya–Syria relations

Libya–Syria relations

Libya	Syria

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

History

President Bashar al-Assad, the Ba'athist Syrian head of state, responded to the Syrian civil war in a manner frequently compared by protesters to Muammar Gaddafi's crackdown in February 2011 and beyond.^[1] Syria voted at the United Nations General Assembly to accredit the NTC as representative of Libya on 16 September 2011.^{[citation needed]} However, Assad's government has allowed Al-Rai TV, a Syrian station, to broadcast pro-Gaddafi propaganda since the leader's fall from power, including audio messages from Gaddafi, members of his family, and former Information Minister Moussa Ibrahim.^[2]

On 10 October 2011, Libya became the first country to recognise the Syrian National Council, an umbrella group of opposition leaders within and outside Syria formed as an alternative to the government in Damascus, as "the sole legitimate government in Syria", according to NTC official Mussa al-Koni, who serves as a representative of the Tuareg of Libya. Koni said the NTC also ordered the Syrian Embassy in Tripoli to be shuttered until further notice.^[3] NTC also promised the representatives of SNC to hand them over the embassy of Syria in Tripoli.^[4]

Resident diplomatic missions

• Libya has an embassy in Damascus.
• Syria has an embassy in Tripoli.

References

1. "Syria Protesters: Gaddafi Is Gone, Assad Will Follow". The Huffington Post. 22 August 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
2. "Gadhafi: His government won't be ousted". UPI. 20 September 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
3. "Libya NTC says recognises Syrian National Council". Khaleej Times. 11 October 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2011. Retrieved 10 October 2011.
4. İpek Yezdani (20 October 2011). "Syria dissidents secure Libya embassy promise". Hürriyet Daily News. Retrieved 23 October 2011.