Certification on Rescission of Libya's Designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism

President Bush certified that Libya had not supported international terrorism in the preceding 6 months and had provided assurances against future support, satisfying statutory requirements to rescind Libya's 1979 designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The Secretary of State was directed to report this certification and its justification to Congress and arrange Federal Register publication.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 30551

Impact dates

Date TBD
Secretary of State to report certification to Congress and arrange Federal Register publication

Key directives

Certify Libya has not supported terrorism in preceding 6-month period
Certify Libya has provided assurances against future terrorism support
Report certification and attached memorandum to Congress
Arrange publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · State Department

Timeline

Immediate

Certification takes effect upon signing
Libya's terrorism designation rescinded
Export controls and arms export restrictions eligible for lifting

Near term (90d)

Secretary of State to report certification to Congress
Federal Register publication to be arranged

Long term

Libya reintegration into international trade and financial systems
Potential U.S.-Libya diplomatic normalization

Risks & tensions

Certification based on intelligence assessments of Libyan behavior that may be disputed or difficult to verify
Congressional notification requirement suggests potential legislative oversight or pushback
Rescission of 27-year designation carries significant geopolitical signaling about counterterrorism cooperation