Sun. Dec 22nd, 2024

The United States has begun to reconsider its decade-long closed embassy in Libya and has decided to reopen it as Russia works to consolidate its influence in the country.

CNN reported that the US State Department requested in the 2025 budget the allocation of $ 12.7 million, to enable the resumption of embassy work in Libya, provide operational expenses for travel operations and diplomatic support from Tunisia, as well as increase the use of dedicated aircraft based in Malta for flights to Tripoli.

The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in July 2014 due to internal unrest, nearly two years after the attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi killed then-Ambassador Chris Stevens and three other Americans.

In particular, the US State Department spoke of increasing the Russian presence inside Libya as a motivation for its desire to reopen its embassy in Tripoli.

As Russia’s influence grows in NATO’s southern flank, the U.S. presence and flights to Libya are essential to safeguarding long-term security interests.

Moscow has increased its interest in Libya, starting after a while from taking a distance from the Dabaiba government in Tripoli, and Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a decree appointing Aydar Aghanin as his country’s ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary in Tripoli.

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