Relationship dossier
Iraq
Libya
Relationship assessment
Historical friction, including a diplomatic rupture during the Iran–Iraq War
Iraq toward Libya
-15Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Libya in 1980 amid Libya’s support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq War.
Libya toward Iraq
-30Libya supported Iran during the Iran–Iraq War, opposing Iraq’s position in the conflict.
Overall relationship
-20The relationship was shaped by Libya’s support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq War and Iraq’s 1980 break in diplomatic relations. Information about later bilateral cooperation is limited, leaving the extent of any enduring rapprochement unclear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Iraq–Libya relations were marked by a serious rupture during the Iran–Iraq War. Libya supported Iran, and Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Libya in 1980. These episodes indicate substantial historical friction, but information about subsequent direct government cooperation and the present scope of bilateral ties is limited.
Areas of tension
- Libya’s support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq War
- Iraq’s 1980 severance of diplomatic relations with Libya
Key developments
Iraq severed diplomatic relations with Libya amid Libya’s support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq War.
Major uncertainties
- The timing and scope of the restoration of diplomatic relations are unclear.
- Details of direct Iraqi-Libyan government cooperation after the Iran–Iraq War are limited.