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 six months and had provided assurances against future support, thereby rescinding Libya's 1979 designation as a State Sponsor of Terrorism. The certification was directed to satisfy multiple statutory requirements and required reporting to Congress and Federal Register publication.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 31909

Impact dates

Date TBD
Congressional notification and Federal Register publication

Key directives

Certify Libya has not supported international terrorism in preceding 6-month period
Certify Libya has provided assurances against future terrorism support
Rescind December 29, 1979 determination regarding Libya
Satisfy section 6(j)(4)(B) of Export Administration Act of 1979
Satisfy section 620A(c)(2) of Foreign Assistance Act of 1961
Satisfy section 40(f)(1)(B) of Arms Export Control Act
Report certification and attached justification memorandum to Congress
Arrange publication in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · Department of State

Timeline

Immediate

Certification takes effect upon signing, rescinding Libya's State Sponsor of Terrorism designation
Sanctions restrictions under Export Administration Act, Foreign Assistance Act, and Arms Export Control Act become inapplicable

Near term (90d)

Congressional notification and Federal Register publication to be arranged by Secretary of State

Long term

Restored diplomatic and trade relations with Libya
Potential U.S. arms exports and foreign assistance to Libya no longer statutorily prohibited

Risks & tensions

Six-month lookback period for terrorism support is narrow; certification relies on intelligence assessments not disclosed in text
Future-assurances clause (ii) is forward-looking and unenforceable by its terms
Rescission of 1979 designation reverses long-standing bipartisan policy