Foreign relations will generally improve now that Libya has been reintegrated into the international community after renouncing its weapons of mass destruction programme and reaching settlements over past involvement with terrorism. Nonetheless, the Libyan government is likely to remain embroiled in disagreements with various countries, although the majority of these will have no serious consequences. A dispute with Switzerland, sparked by the arrest of a son of Colonel Qadhafi in Geneva in 2008 for allegedly mistreating a maid, seriously damaged commercial and diplomatic relations and also threatened Libyan relations with the EU, although it has now been resolved. Libya's past involvement in terrorist activities will continue to resurface, souring international relations. The case of BP, a British oil major, which has been accused by US senators of lobbying for the release of the man convicted of the Lockerbie bombing, is an example. After much wrangling, a deal has finally been reached over co-operation on immigration between the EU and Libya, which should clear the way for an improvement in relations across a broad range of political and economic issues. Colonel Qadhafi will continue to seek to strengthen ties with the US and the EU, particularly Italy, while sporadically voicing anti-Western rhetoric and engaging with countries viewed as rivals of the US, such as Russia and China.

Efforts to integrate Libya into the international community will continue, and the country was recently elected to the UN Human Rights Council, although not without strong protests from human rights campaigners. Generally, economic imperatives, mainly in the oil and gas sectors, are likely to dictate relations with the West. Libya will also continue to have tense relations with a number of Arab states. Colonel Qadhafi's recent open support for the former Tunisian president, Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, may exacerbate regional tensions further. Poor ties with Arab states have encouraged Libya to focus on ambitions to lead Africa towards continental unity.