Libya travel advice

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK advises against all but essential travel to Libya due to continuing demonstrations against the leadership in most towns and cities, particularly in the East. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises any remaining British nationals in Libya to contact the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (tel: (020) 7008 6865).

All tourists and short stay visitors must register their passports with the police within one week of arrival. This is usually arranged by the company you are visiting or the local travel agency you are travelling with. A fee of LD 10-15 is usually charged for this. Failure to comply with this requirement may lead to you being fined when you come to leave the country.

Most visits to Libya are trouble-free.

Travellers are advised against all but essential travel to areas bordering Sudan, Chad, Niger and Algeria, owing to the threat from cross border criminal activity and instability in the region. The Libyan authorities may restrict access to the more remote parts of the country (e.g. desert areas and remote towns) at short notice.

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