Relationship dossier
Libya
Syria
Relationship assessment
Contrasting policies during the 2011 uprisings and subsequent political changes have shaped Libya–Syria relations.
Libya toward Syria
-25In 2011, Libya’s National Transitional Council recognized the Syrian opposition and transferred control of Syria’s embassy in Tripoli to its representatives, challenging the Syrian government’s claim to represent Syria.
Syria toward Libya
+10In 2011, Syria opposed suspending Libya from the Arab League, supporting the Libyan government then in power.
Overall relationship
-10The relationship has been shaped by contrasting positions during the 2011 uprisings: Libya’s transitional authorities supported Syria’s opposition, while Syria opposed Libya’s suspension from the Arab League. Subsequent political changes in both countries complicate any assessment of a durable bilateral pattern.
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
Libya’s National Transitional Council recognized the Syrian opposition in 2011 and transferred control of Syria’s embassy in Tripoli to its representatives, a significant challenge to the Syrian government. In the same period, Syria opposed suspending Libya from the Arab League, supporting the Libyan government then in power. These divergent actions and subsequent political changes make the bilateral relationship difficult to characterize as a consistent partnership.
Areas of tension
- Libya’s 2011 recognition of the Syrian opposition and transfer of Syria’s Tripoli embassy to its representatives.
Key developments
Libya’s National Transitional Council recognized the Syrian opposition and transferred control of Syria’s embassy in Tripoli to its representatives.
Syria opposed suspending Libya from the Arab League.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of later bilateral cooperation are unclear.
- Libya’s divided political authorities have pursued differing approaches to relations with the Syrian government.