To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many official visits to Libya were made by officials from his Department in (a) 2006, (b) 2007, (c) 2008 and (d) 2009; and what the purpose of each such visit was. (291199)

There is no central record of the number of official overseas visits made by Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials to Libya. However officials from various parts of the FCO, both in the UK and overseas, visit Libya regularly in the course of their official duties.

Senior officials hold an annual meeting with Libyan government officials which alternates between Tripoli and London. No senior officials meeting has taken place in 2009.

During the course of their visits officials work to deliver Government objectives in the fields of security, trade, co-operation in the UN and African Union, visas, consular matters and the safety, security and wellbeing of FCO officials and their families living and working in Tripoli.