Libya - Travel Warning August 31, 1993 The United States Department of State warns all U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Libya and to depart the country immediately if resident of visitor there. The U..S. government has determined that due to Libya's long history of flouting international law and directing terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens, it is unsafe for Americans to travel there. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Libya unless a special validation is obtained from the department of state. All financial and commercial transactions with Libya are prohibited, unless licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department. There is no U.S. Embassy in Libya. U.S. government interests ate represented by the government of Belgium, which as a protecting power can provide only limited emergency service to U.S. citizens. Further details can be obtained in the Department of State's Consular Information Information Sheet on Libya. No. 93-034 This extends the Department of State's warning travel warning for Libya issued January 8, 1993. Libya - Consular Information Sheet August 31, 1993 Warning: The United States Department of State warns all U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Libya and to depart the country immediately if resident or visiting there. The U.S. Government has determined that due to Libya's long history of flouting international law and directing terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens, it is unsafe for Americans to travel there. U.S. passports are not valid for travel to, in or through Libya unless a special validation is obtained from the Department of State. All financial and commercial transactions with Libya are prohibited, unless licensed by the U.S. Treasury Department. There is no U.S. Embassy in Libya. U.S. Government interests are represented by the Government of Belgium, which as a protecting power can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens. Country Description: The Socialist People's Libyan Arab Jamahiriya considers itself an Islamic Arab Socialist "Mass-State", (i.e., a state run by the masses). Libya has a developing economy. Islamic ideals and beliefs provide the conservative foundation of the country's customs, laws and practices. Tourist facilities are not widely available. Entry Requirements: Passports and visas are required. On December 11, 1981, U.S. passports ceased to be valid for travel to, in or through Libya and may not be used for that purpose without a special validation. Without this requisite validation, use of a U.S. passport for travel to, in or through Libya may constitute a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1544, and may be punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. In addition, the Department of the Treasury prohibits all travel-related transactions by U.S. persons intending to visit Libya, unless specifically licensed by the Office of Foreign Assets Control. There are limited exceptions to this licensing requirement for Libyan nationals' family members, and for journalists. The categories of individuals eligible for consideration for a special passport validation are set forth in 22 C.F.R. 51.74. Passport validation requests for Libya can be forwarded in writing to the following address: Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services U.S. Department of State 1111 19th Street, N.W. Suite 260 Washington, D.C. 20522-1705 Attn: Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal Assistance Telephone (202) 955-0377. The request must be accompanied by supporting documentation according to the category under which validation is sought. Currently, the four categories of persons specified in 22 C.F.R. 51.74 as being eligible for consideration for passport validation are as follows: [1] Professional reporters: includes full-time members of the reporting or writing staff of a newspaper, magazine or broadcasting network whose purpose for travel is to gather information about Libya for dissemination to the general public. [2] American Red Cross: Applicant establishes that he or she is a representative of the American Red Cross or International Red Cross traveling pursuant to an officially sponsored Red Cross mission. [3] Humanitarian considerations: Applicant must establish that his or her trip is justified by compelling humanitarian considerations or for family unification. At this time, "compelling humanitarian considerations" include situations where the applicant can document that an immediate family member is critically ill in Libya. Documentation concerning family illness must include the name and address of the relative, and be from that relative's physician attesting to the nature and gravity of the illness. "Family unification" situations may include cases in which spouses or minor children are residing in Libya, with and dependent on, a Libyan national spouse or parent for their support. [4] National interest: The applicant's request is otherwise found to be in the national interest. In all requests for passport validation for travel to Libya, the name, date and place of birth for all concerned persons must be given, as well as the U.S. passport numbers. Documentation as outlined above should accompany all requests. Additional information may be obtained by writing to the above address or by calling the Office of Citizenship Appeals and Legal Assistance at [202] 326-6168 or 326-6182. U.S. Treasury Restrictions: In addition to the passport validation, U.S. Treasury requirements must be met. Travelers may contact the Treasury Department at the following address and phone number: Chief of Licensing Office of Foreign Assets Control U.S. Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20220 Telephone (202) 622-2480; fax (202) 622-1657 U.S. Treasury Sanctions: On January 7, 1986, the United States imposed sanctions against Libya, which are administered by the U.S. Treasury Department, prohibiting all travel-related transactions with respect to Libya for U.S. citizens and permanent resident aliens. There are limited exceptions for Libyan nationals' family members who register with the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control or with the Embassy of Belgium in Tripoli, and for full-time journalists. As of February 1, 1986, the President further prohibited transactions by U.S. persons relating to transportation to or from Libya. Additionally, all financial and commercial transactions by U.S. persons anywhere in the world with Libya are prohibited. This includes working in Libya, providing a service of any nature to Libya, or participating in an unauthorized transaction of any kind involving property in which Libya has an interest. Violations of the Libyan sanctions may result in penalties, fines and/or imprisonment. Under the Libyan Sanctions Regulations and in addition to any passport validation issued by the Department of State, the U.S. Treasury Department requires that U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents who wish to travel to Libya to visit immediate family members in Libya are authorized to visit Libya only if they file a registration letter prior to their trip with the Office of Foreign Assets Control or with the Embassy of Belgium in Tripoli. The registration must contain the following information: (1) Name, date and place of birth of the person registering [including the name under which a registrant's most recent U.S. passport was issued, if that is different]; (2) If applicable, place and date of the registrant's naturalization as a U.S. citizen, and the number of the registrant's naturalization certificate, or, for permanent resident aliens, the alien registration number of the registrant's alien registration receipt card; (3) The name, relationship, and address of the immediate family member in Libya whose relationship forms the basis for the registrant's eligibility; and (4) The number and issue date of the registrant's current U.S. passport, and the most recent date on which the passport was validated by the U.S. Department of State for travel to Libya. U.N. Sanctions: U.N. Security Council sanctions against Libya, including an air embargo, took effect on April 15, 1992. U.N. Security Council Resolution 748, passed on March 31, 1992, imposed sanctions on Libya until Libya fully complies with the provisions of U.N. Resolution 731 and 748, adopted on January 21, 1992. U.N. Security Council Resolutions 731 and 748 were adopted in response to Libya's responsibility for the bombings of Pan Am flight 103 and UTA flight 772. The U.S. cannot predict if or when Libya will comply with the U.N. demands. Since April 15, 1992, when air links were discontinued, it has become difficult to leave Libya. The sale in the United States of air transportation including any stop in Libya became illegal under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, 50 U.S.C. 1701. Medical Facilities: Basic modern medical care and medicines may not be available in Libya. Information on Crime: Crime is generally not a serious problem for travelers in Libya. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to local police, the U.S. Interests Section, and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Useful information on safeguarding valuables, protecting personal security, and other matters while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlets, "A Safe Trip Abroad" and "Tips for Travelers to the Middle East or North Africa." They are available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws and legal practices of the country in which they travel. Penalties for possession, use or trafficking in illegal drugs are severe in Libya, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. Registration: There is no U.S. embassy in Libya. The U.S. government is not in a position to accord normal consular protective services to U.S. citizens in Libya. U.S. Government interests are represented by the Government of Belgium, which as a protecting power can provide only limited emergency services to U.S. citizens. Embassy Location: There is no U.S. embassy or consulate in Libya. The U.S. Interests Section of the Embassy of Belgium is located at Tower 4, That al Imad complex, in the capital city of Tripoli. The Belgian Embassy's mailing address is P.O. 91650, Tripoli, Libya. The telephone number is (218-21) 33771. No. 93-220 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet dated January 8, 1993 to include new telephone numbers for the Office of Foreign Assets Control and the U.S. Treasury, and to add information on reporting the loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad.