Most visits to Libya are trouble-free.

However, travellers are advised against all but essential travel to areas bordering Chad and Sudan, because of instability in the region. With the exception of the official land border crossings to Tunisia and Egypt, visitors and residents are not permitted to travel in the interior or to border areas without an officially sanctioned guide or specific permission from the Libyan authorities.

Prior permission (a desert pass) to travel to the desert regions is required from the Libyan authorities. Tour operators usually arrange this. Once a desert pass has been obtained travellers should avoid those desert areas where oil extraction is in operation.

Libya shares with the rest of the North Africa region a threat from terrorism. Attacks could be indiscriminate and against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. 

Visitors are advised to avoid political gatherings, and to be alert to developments in Libya and the Middle East that might trigger public disturbances.

This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice:

British Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Tel: 0845 850 2829.
Website: www.fco.gov.uk

US Department of State
Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel