JEDDAH, 7 September — The Libyan government has allocated SR16 million ($4.26 million) to construct a new building for its embassy in Riyadh. Libyan Ambassador Dr. Mohammed Saeed Al-Qashat said the new premises would be ready within 20 months.
“The new embassy building is designed in Andalusian architectural style to make it one of the outstanding diplomatic headquarters in the Kingdom,” the ambassador told Arab News.
He said he expected the number of visitors to the embassy would grow rapidly following a major cooperation agreement signed by the two countries last week.
Foreign Minister Prince Saud Al-Faisal and his Libyan counterpart Dr. Ali Abussalam Turaiki signed an accord in Jeddah on Tuesday to promote economic, industrial and cultural cooperation between the two Arab states.
The agreement also covers cooperation in technical, scientific, sports and oil and petrochemical areas. It also allows establishment of joint investment projects and exchange of information in health, educational and agricultural affairs. “The accord will open a new era in bilateral ties,” said Prince Saud. Covering an area of 4,500 square meters in the Diplomatic Quarter in Riyadh, the new embassy will have separate sections for consular services, information and administration.
The embassy purchased the land for the new premises about 20 years ago but did not implement the project as a result of an international embargo against Libya.
Qashat commended the role played by Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Fahd and Prince Abdullah, the regent, to lift the embargo on his country. He expressed hope that last week’s accord would strengthen economic cooperation between the two countries.
Trade exchange between the Kingdom and Libya has exceeded SR1.24 billion ($330 million).
