1979 U.S. Embassy Burning in Libya

Terrorist incident in Tripoli, Libya February 2026 February 2026 June 2026 On 2 December 1979, the U.S. Embassy in Tripoli, Libya, was burned during protests over allegations that the United States was involved in the Grand Mosque seizure in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. The United States had already withdrawn the U.S. Ambassador to Libya in 1972. Following the 1979 attack, all remaining U.S. government personnel were withdrawn and the embassy closed. Diplomatic presence resumed on February 8, 2004, with the arrival of the U.S. Interests Section in Tripoli. That mission was upgraded to a Liaison Office on June 24, 2004. Sources Office of the Spokesman Upgrading of Diplomatic Relations with Libya U.S. Department of State. May 15, 2006. See also 1979 U.S. embassy burning in Islamabad Attacks on the United States Category:Attacks on diplomatic missions in Libya Libya Category:Libya–United States relations Category:1979 in Libya Category:1979 in the United States Category:1979 in international relations Category:20th century in Tripoli, Libya Category:Terrorist incidents in Libya Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in 1979 Category:Arson in 1979 Category:Arson in Libya Category:December 1979 in Africa