The United States has announced an additional $4.5 million in funding to enhance civil aviation security in Libya. This commitment is part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the country's aviation sector and improve its connectivity with the world.
U.S. Special Envoy Ambassador Richard Norland, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for North Africa Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs Joshua Harris, and U.S. Embassy to Libya Chargé d’Affaires Jeremy Berndt recently met with Khaled Swessi, Libya's Deputy Minister of Transport for Air Transport Affairs. The meeting aimed to reaffirm U.S. support for strengthening Libya’s civil aviation sector and airport security.
The new funding will be directed towards Sebha Airport through the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Counterterrorism’s Libya Aviation and Airport Security Program. The goal is to promote stability in southern Libya, create economic opportunities, and enable Sebha Airport to expand its operations as an aviation hub.
Since 2018, the United States has allocated over $20 million towards Libyan aviation security initiatives. Nearly 3,000 Libyan airport officials have participated in U.S.-sponsored training programs, including almost 300 women.