Libya

Brazil established diplomatic relations with Libya in 1967. The Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli was opened in 1974. Throughout the 1970s, the relationship focused on the economic-commercial area. With the gradual international isolation of Libya in the 1980s and 1990s, bilateral relations lost intensity.

The rapprochement began in the 2000s, following the end of sanctions imposed by the UN, through the exchange of high-level visits, the intensification of trade flows and the presence of Brazilian investments in Libya.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visited Libya in 2003 and in 2009, when he participated in the 13th African Union Summit. In 2010, Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visited Libya.

In 2011, as a result of the Libyan conflict, the Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli was temporarily transferred to Tunis. In 2012, in the context of a relative improvement in the security situation in the country, the Brazilian Embassy returned to Tripoli. In 2014, with the worsening of the Libyan crisis, the Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli was once again temporarily transferred to Tunis, a situation that continues to this day.

Brazil supports that only inclusive political dialogue between Libyan leaders, under the auspices of the UN, will lead to a solution to the conflict in Libya. Brazil supports the current negotiations sponsored by the United Nations, as well as regional mediation efforts.

Brazil sent humanitarian aid to Libya to the benefit of the population affected by Storm Daniel in September 2023.

In 2024, President Lula met with the President of the Libyan Presidential Council, Mohamed Al-Menfi, on the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa.

The Libyan Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emhemed Said Ali Zedan, visited Brazil in July 2024 to participate in the Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas in Salvador.

In 2024, trade between Brazil and Libya reached $ 650 million (an increase of 45% compared to 2023). The main products exported to Libya were iron ore and its concentrates (40%), fresh or frozen poultry meat (30%) and frozen beef (13%).

Chronology of Bilateral Relations

2024 – The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Emhemed Said Ali Zedan, participated in the Conference of the African Diaspora in the Americas, in Salvador

2024 – Bilateral meeting between President Lula and the President of the Presidential Council of Libya, Mohamed Al-Menfi, on the sidelines of the 37th African Union Summit, in Addis Ababa

2024 – Delivery of Brazilian humanitarian aid to Libya, to benefit the population affected by Storm Daniel, in September 2023, which caused the death of nearly 5 thousand people and left around 10 thousand homeless.

2014 – The Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli is temporarily transferred to Tunis

2013 – Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Abdussalam visits Brazil

2013 – Libyan Oil Minister Abdulbari Al-Arousi visits Brazil

2012 – The Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli reopens

2012 – Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Omar Abdelkarim visits Brazil on the occasion of the Open Government Partnership Meeting

2011 – Brazil votes in favor of accrediting the National Transitional Council as Libya's representative for the 66th Regular Session of the UN General Assembly, recognizing that entity as the legitimate representative of the Libyan people

2011 – The Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli is temporarily transferred to Tunis

2010 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits Libya

2009 – President Luiz Inácio visits Libya Lula da Silva, on the occasion of the 13th African Union Summit

2009 – Libyan Deputy Prime Minister Imbarek Shamek visits Brazil

2009 – Minister of Development, Industry and Commerce Miguel Jorge visits Libya

2008 – Foreign Minister Celso Amorim visits Libya

2007 – The Special Advisor to the Presidency of the Republic, Marco Aurélio Garcia, visits Tripoli, and is received by Colonel Kadhafi, to whom he delivers a presidential message

2004 – Minister-Chief of the Economic and Social Development Council Jaques Wagner visits Libya

2003 – President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva visits Libya

2002 – Minister of Economy of Libya Shukri Ghanem visits Brazil

2000 – With the suspension of sanctions imposed by the UN (1999), Brazil once again appoints an ambassador to Tripoli

1992 – Sanctions on Libya imposed by the UN Security Council come into force in Brazil. Brazil withdraws its ambassador in Tripoli, keeping only a chargé d'affaires

1987 – The 1st Brazil-Libya Joint Commission is held

1974 – The Brazilian Embassy in Tripoli is opened, created by decrees no. 61,034 of July 17, 1967, and no. 73,931 of April 10, 1974