The State Department has sharpened its travel warning for Libya, telling Americans not to enter the country “for any reason” and, if travel is unavoidable, to prepare a will before going.
Libya has carried a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory, the State Department’s most severe rating, for years. Such advisories are reviewed at least every six months, and on August 31 the department updated its guidance with starker language than before.
“Do not travel to Libya for any reason due to crime, terrorism, health concerns, unrest, kidnapping, or landmines,” the advisory states.
It warns that “clashes among armed groups, including violence between competing armed groups and government-aligned forces, can occur at any time,” and notes that weapons are widespread and “controlled by various government organizations, armed groups, tribal factions, and criminal organizations.”
“Targeted kidnappings and assassinations are common and committed by criminal organizations and armed groups. Crimes of opportunity occur frequently. Wealthy or foreign nationals are often victims of these crimes.”
The department also pointed out that the United States has no embassy in Libya, meaning the government cannot guarantee emergency assistance to Americans there. Consular matters involving Libya are instead routed through the U.S. Embassy in Tunisia.
Guidance for those who go anyway
For Americans who decide they must travel to Libya despite the warning, the State Department recommends having an exit plan that does not rely on U.S. government help. It also advises clearing phones and social media of “any sensitive photos, comments, or content that might be seen as controversial or inappropriate in your destination.”
Travelers are further urged to consider hiring private security and to set up a system with family members to confirm they are safe in case of kidnapping. In case of the worst outcome, the advisory tells travelers to “prepare a will and end-of-life instructions” and to leave DNA samples with a medical provider so family members could use them for identification if needed.
The State Department has not publicly explained what prompted the updated wording. A request for further comment was not immediately answered.
