Thailand to open embassy in Libya

Bangkok, Jul 3 (UNI) Thailand will open an embassy in Tripoli soon and awaits the opening of a Libyan embassy in Bangkok, Thai Foreign Minister Noppadon Pattama said here today.

During a meeting with the visiting Libyan Secretary for Asian Affairs, Mohamed Omar Al Barani, Mr Pattama spoke of the need for strengthening bilateral diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.

The Thai Foreign Minister also explained the government's handling of the separatist insurgency in the country's southern Muslim-majority border region.

Mr Al Barani voiced Libya's support for Thai government policies to tackle the insurgency, according to a statement by the Thai Foreign Ministry.

The two countries also discussed UN reform with Bangkok seeking Tripoli's backing for Thailand's bid for a non-permanent UN Security Council seat during 2017-2018.

Thailand and Libya were negotiating agreements on investment promotion and avoidance of double taxation and Mr Pattama sought Libyan support for Thai state oil company PTT's work in Libya.

About 2,000 Thai nationals are currently working in Libya.

UNI XC SKB AS1743