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Syrian‑Libyan roadmap to institutionalize relations and address economic and security files

Academics and political researchers have framed Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al‑Shaybani’s visit to the Libyan capital Tripoli as a step to warm relations after a 14‑year rupture, noting the importance of activating the Joint Supreme Committee at a time when Syria is seeking support for its reconstruction plans.

Al‑Shaybani reopened the Syrian embassy in Tripoli on Sunday, ending a closure of more than 14 years, and signed with Libya’s acting Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Taher Al‑Baour, an agreement to “activate the previously concluded agreement on the Joint Supreme Committee.”

• “We announce today the resumption of the work of the Syrian Arab Republic’s embassy in the sisterly state of Libya after an interruption of about fourteen years, strengthening bilateral relations between our two brotherly countries,” the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said.

• “We have signed an agreement to reactivate the Joint Supreme Committee between the Syrian Arab Republic…”, a tweet from Syria Now – News (August 30, 2026).

Libyan academic and political researcher Nizar Kriksh said there are pending issues that require coordination and consultation, stressing the need to follow up on the file of Syrians who migrated to Libya during the Syrian uprising and to regularise their status through an embassy that serves them.

He estimated the Syrian community in Libya at roughly 200,000 people, concentrated in various regions, especially Tripoli and Benghazi.

Kriksh also highlighted the importance of commercial cooperation and expanding bilateral trade, particularly in construction materials, cement and steel needed by Syria for reconstruction, as well as Libyan imports from Syria. He noted that Libyans have long imported large quantities of Syrian goods, a flow that requires monitoring and support.

Al‑Shaybani explained that a reassessment of Syrian‑Libyan relations had been carried out and a roadmap for development agreed upon.

In statements relayed by the Syrian news agency SANA, the talks covered the activation of maritime and air transport routes, the creation of a framework for a senior committee to manage and institutionalise the relationship across all economic sectors, the establishment of a business council, increased mutual investment, and Libya’s contribution to investing in and rebuilding Syria in the coming phase.

Syrian political‑security researcher Aziz Musa underscored the visit’s significance in re‑activating and amending the previous Joint Supreme Committee agreement to reflect the political developments in both countries, noting that Syria is moving to broaden its regional and international openness and to consolidate diverse relations.

He added, in a statement to “Syria Now”, that the visit does not appear to be merely a diplomatic representation step, but “an attempt to …”