World Factbook
Libya
Dawlat Libiya
Last updated: 2026-03-28 (today)
Flag
description: three horizontal bands of red (top), black (double-width), and green, with a white crescent and star centered on the black stripe meaning: the colors represent the three major regions of the country: red stands for Fezzan, black for Cyrenaica, and green for Tripolitania; the crescent and star represent Islam history: the National Transitional Council reintroduced this flag design from the former Kingdom of Libya (1951-69) in 2011 to replace the all-green banner of the QADHAFI regime
Capital
name
Tripoli (Tarabulus)
etymology
the name derives from the Greek words tri and polis , meaning "three cities;" the modern-day city was founded in the 14th century to replace the three ancient cities of Pallantium, Tegea, and Mantineia
time difference
UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
32 53 N, 13 10 E
Suffrage
18 years of age, universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Libya
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
varies from 3 to 5 years
Constitution
note
note: a draft constitution was approved in 2017, but it is not yet ratified
history
previous 1951, 1977, 2011 (interim)
Country name
etymology
the name probably derives from the Libu, a North African tribe first mentioned in texts from the 13th century B.C.; the ancient Greeks and Romans used the name for the entire North African coast west of Egypt
local long form
Dawlat Libiya
local short form
Libiya
conventional long form
State of Libya
conventional short form
Libya
Independence
24 December 1951 (from UN trusteeship)
Legal system
Libya's post-revolution system is in flux and driven by state and non-state entities
Government type
in transition
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Libya's judicial system consists of a supreme court, central high courts (in Tripoli, Benghazi, and Sabha), and a series of lower courts
Executive branch
chief of state
President, Presidential Council, Mohammed al-MANFI (since 5 February 2021)
head of government
GNU Interim Prime Minister Abd-al-Hamid DUBAYBAH (since 5 February 2021)
most recent election date
scheduled for 24 December 2021 but not held
election/appointment process
first direct presidential election was not held as planned
expected date of next election
no new date has been set for elections
National holiday
Liberation Day, 23 October (2011)
National color(s)
red, black, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (all cultural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Archaeological Site of Cyrene; Archaeological Site of Leptis Magna, Archaeological Site of Sabratha; Rock-Art Sites of Tadrart Acacus; Old Town of Ghadamès
Legislative branch
note
note: 32 seats are reserved for women
chamber name
House of Representatives (Majlis Al-Nuwaab)
number of seats
200 (all directly elected)
electoral system
other systems
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
6/25/2014
expected date of next election
December 2026
percentage of women in chamber
16.5%
National anthem(s)
title
"Libya, Libya, Libya"
history
adopted 1951, but replaced in 1969 when QADHAFI came to power; readopted 2011 with some modification to the lyrics; also known as "Ya Beladi" (O My Country)
lyrics/music
Al Bashir AL AREBI/Mohamad Abdel WAHAB
National symbol(s)
star and crescent, hawk
Administrative divisions
22 governorates ( muhafazah , singular - muhafazat ); Al Butnan, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Al Jafarah, Al Jufrah, Al Kufrah, Al Marj, Al Marqab, Al Wahat, An Nuqat al Khams, Az Zawiyah, Banghazi (Benghazi), Darnah, Ghat, Misratah, Murzuq, Nalut, Sabha, Surt, Tarabulus (Tripoli), Wadi al Hayat, Wadi ash Shati
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 944-9606
chancery
1460 Dahlia Street NW, Washington, DC 20012
telephone
[1] (202) 944-9601
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Fadil S M OMAR (since 17 July 2023)
email address and website
info@embassyoflibyadc.com https://www.embassyoflibyadc.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
note
note: the US Embassy in Tripoli closed in July 2014 due to Libyan civil unrest; embassy staff and operations currently are located at US Embassy Tunis, Tunisia
embassy
US Embassy Tripoli operations suspended in 2014
telephone
[216] 71-107-000
mailing address
8850 Tripoli Place, Washington, DC 20521-8850
chief of mission
Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Jeremy BERNDT (since 14 October 2023)
email address and website
Webmaster_Libya@state.gov https://ly.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ABEDA, AfDB, AFESD, AMF, AMU, AU, BDEAC, CAEU, COMESA, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, LAS, LCBC, MIGA, NAM, OAPEC, OIC, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNSMIL, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO (observer)
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt