Libya

Note: The Legation in Tripoli was established Dec 24, 1952, with Andrew G. Lynch as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim.

Name: Henry S. Villard
State of Residency: New York
Foreign Service officer
Title: Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Feb 7, 1952
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 6, 1952
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 24, 1954
Note: John N. Gatch, Jr., was serving as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim when the Legation in Libya was raised to Embassy status, Sep 25, 1954.

Name: John L. Tappin
State of Residency: Maryland
Non-career appointee
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Sep 25, 1954
Presentation of Credentials: Nov 16, 1954
Termination of Mission: Superseded, Mar 17, 1958
Note: Commissioned during a recess of the Senate; recommissioned after confirmation on Jan 24, 1955.

Name: John Wesley Jones
State of Residency: Iowa
Foreign Service officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Feb 5, 1958
Presentation of Credentials: Mar 17, 1958
Termination of Mission: Left Libya, Dec 20, 1962

Name: E. Allan Lightner, Jr.
State of Residency: Maine
Foreign Service officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: May 3, 1963
Presentation of Credentials: May 27, 1963
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 30, 1965

Name: David D. Newsom
State of Residency: California
Foreign Service officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 22, 1965
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 16, 1965
Termination of Mission: Left post, Jun 21, 1969

Name: Joseph Palmer II
State of Residency: Maryland
Foreign Service officer
Title: Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
Appointment: Jul 8, 1969
Presentation of Credentials: Oct 9, 1969
Termination of Mission: Left post, Nov 7, 1972

Note: The following officers served as Chargé d'Affaires ad interim Nov 1972-Feb 1980: Harold G. Josif (Nov 1972-Dec 1973), Robert A. Stein (Dec 1973-Dec 1974), Robert Carle (Jan 1975-Aug 1978), and William L. Eagleton, Jr. (Aug 1978-Feb 1980). Eagleton was recalled Feb 8, 1980, and Embassy Tripoli was closed May 2, 1980.

Note: The United States established an Interests Section in Tripoli, Feb 8, 2004. It became the U.S. Liason Office on Jun 28, with Greg Berry as the Principal Officer.

Note: On May 31, 2006 the United States resumed diplomatic relations with Libya, and the Interests Section in Tripoli became an Embassy. Gregory L. Berry became Charge d'Affaires ad interim, serving until October 10, 2006. Charles O. Cecil succeeded him on November 15, 2006.