Australia–Libya relations
{{Infobox Bilateral relations|Australia–Libya|Australia|Libya}}
Australia–Libya relations are the bilateral relations between Australia and Libya. The two countries are members of the United Nations.
History
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 4 January 1978.{{Cite web |title=Diplomatic and Consular Relations: Diplomatic and Consular Relations" [1980] AUYrBkIntLaw 19; (1978–1980) 8 Australian Year Book of International Law 392 |url=http://www5.austlii.edu.au/au/journals/AUYrBkIntLaw/1980/19.html |access-date=3 November 2023 |website=Australian Year Book of International Law}}
Australia and Libya announced the establishment of diplomatic relations on 4 January 1978.*[https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-901003351/view?partId=nla.obj-901014909#page/n52/mode/1up Relations with Libya]* Australian Foreign Affairs Record Vol. 49 No. 1 January 1978, page 51. Retrieved 14 February 2022. A Libyan People's Bureau was opened in Canberra and the Australian ambassador to Italy was accredited on a non-resident basis. Concerns about Libyan destabilising activities in the Pacific region, part of a broader sponsorship by Muammar Gaddafi of such activities around the world, led to the expulsion of the Bureau in Canberra in 1987.*[https://pmtranscripts.pmc.gov.au/sites/default/files/original/00007176.pdf Prime Minister's Media Statement 19 May 1987]* Australian Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 February 2022*[https://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-1219765749/view?partId=nla.obj-1219785162#page/n39/mode/1up Libya: Military activities in the South Pacific]. Australian Foreign Affairs Record Vol. 58 No. 5 (May 1987) page 270. Retrieved 14 February 2022.
As part of the thawing of relations between Libya and Western nations following Gaddafi's post 9-11 policy u-turns, diplomatic relations were restored in 2002, the Libyan People's Bureau reopened in Canberra and the Australian ambassador in Rome resumed non-resident accreditation. This has remained the case, though with the Bureau's name reverting to embassy following the overthrow of Gaddafi.
Australia was a major non-military backer of the revolutionaries during the Libyan Civil War, sending more humanitarian aid to Libya than any other single country after the United States.{{cite news|url=http://trademinister.gov.au/releases/2011/ce_mr_110901c.html|agency=Australian Minister of Trade|title=Australia Supports the New Libya at International Conference|date=1 September 2011|access-date=22 January 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://www.theage.com.au/national/australia-funding-libyan-evacuation-ship-reveals-rudd-20110427-1dwx0.html| work = The Age |date=28 April 2011|access-date=30 April 2011|title=Australia Funding Libyan Evacuation Ship, Reveals Rudd| author = Willingham, Richard}} It was relatively early to recognise the NTC, doing so on 9 June 2011, months before the capture of Tripoli.{{cite news|agency=Xinhua|date=9 June 2011|access-date=9 June 2011|title=Australia's FM says Libyan opposition NTC only representative of Libya|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/08/c_13917867.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110610113335/http://news.xinhuanet.com/english2010/world/2011-06/08/c_13917867.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 10, 2011}}{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/canberra-backs-new-libya-20110609-1fvas.html|agency=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 June 2011|access-date=10 June 2011|first=Dan|last=Oakes|title=Canberra backs new Libya}}
In December 2011 Australian Foreign Affairs Minister Kevin Rudd traveled to Libya to meet with Libyan Prime Minister Abdurrahim El-Keib. Rudd ceremonially hoisted the flag of Australia at his country's consul-general in Tripoli and pledged Canberra's support for efforts to remove unexploded landmines in Libya, as well as advice on Libya's planned transition to democratic governance.{{cite news|url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/australia-extends-a-helping-hand-to-libya-20111209-1onlb.html|agency=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=10 December 2011|first=Ruth|last=Pollard|access-date=22 January 2012|title=Australia extends a helping hand to Libya}}