Travel Warning: Libya

September 14, 1999

The United States Department of State warns U.S. citizens against travel to or residence in Libya. There has been evidence of hostility to the United States in some segments of the population and some elements of the Libyan Government.

There is no U.S. Embassy in Libya. Therefore, the U.S. Government is unable to provide any assurances of the safety of travel to Libya by U.S. citizens. U.S. Government interests are represented by the Government of Belgium, which as a protecting power can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens.

Although United Nations sanctions against Libya have been suspended following the surrender of the two suspects in the Lockerbie bombing, U.S. sanctions remain in place. All financial and commercial transactions with Libya by U.S. citizens are prohibited unless licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in, or through Libya unless a special validation is obtained beforehand from the Department of State.

Those Americans who decide to travel to Libya despite the Travel Warning should exercise a high level of caution.