For the first time in ten years, a consular services team from the US Embassy in Tunisia has provided on-the-ground consular services to Americans in Libya. This significant development was disclosed by Shannon Flowers, Deputy Consul at the US Embassy in Tunisia, in a statement reported by Libya’s “Al-Wasat” TV on Sunday.
Flowers noted that 2024 has been a crucial year for American consular diplomacy in Libya. A consular team from the US Embassy in Tunisia, in collaboration with the External Work Office at the US Embassy in Libya, conducted visits and established centres in Tripoli first and then Benghazi to provide consular services to American citizens throughout Libya.
Through seven trips since the summer of 2023, the consular teams have offered their services to 500 American citizens with dual nationality in Libya, including Americans who are detained. However, Flowers did not specify the reasons for the detentions or the entities holding these individuals.
The visits mark a significant milestone in US-Libyan diplomatic relations, reflecting a commitment to supporting American citizens in Libya despite the challenging security situation. This initiative also underscores the importance of maintaining consular services to ensure the safety and well-being of American nationals abroad.
The move to offer on-the-ground consular services in Libya after a decade highlights the improving diplomatic ties and the efforts to address the needs of American citizens in the region. The US consular presence in Libya is expected to enhance the overall diplomatic engagement and cooperation between the two countries.
