Syria is preparing to restore its diplomatic and aviation presence in Libya as part of a broader effort to revive ties between the two nations after more than a decade of strained relations.
A government delegation is expected to visit Tripoli soon, with direct flights and embassy services to follow.
Sameh Arabi, Director of Syrian Airlines, confirmed that Libya will soon be added as a new destination for the state-run airline.
In a statement to Syria’s official news agency SANA, Arabi noted that the carrier currently operates four daily flights serving Gulf and Middle Eastern cities, including Sharjah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Doha, and Kuwait. He added that efforts are underway to resume routes to Egypt, although some administrative hurdles remain.
The revival of the Libya route aligns with Syria’s renewed diplomatic outreach. On May 15, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shibani announced the reopening of the Syrian embassy and consulate in Libya, saying it was based on instructions from Syria’s newly appointed President, Ahmad Al-Shara.
“This step aims to provide services to our Syrian community in Libya and to strengthen fraternal relations between the two nations,” Al-Shibani wrote on X (formerly Twitter). He added that a field team will be dispatched in preparation for an official visit to Libya’s Government of National Unity, although no specific date was given.
The developments come amid a broader political realignment in Syria. In January 2025, Ahmad Al-Shara was appointed transitional president following the ousting of Bashar Al-Assad in December 2024. His administration has since emphasized reengagement with regional partners, including Libya.
During the Antalya Diplomacy Forum in April, Libyan interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbaiba and Syrian President Al-Shara agreed to reactivate the Libyan–Syrian High Joint Committee. The body, designed to enhance bilateral cooperation across political, economic, and social spheres, had been dormant for years.
