Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13566: Blocking Property and Prohibiting Certain Transactions Related to Libya

President: Barack Obama

Blocked Libyan government and Qadhafi-linked property to prevent asset diversion during the 2011 uprising.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13566 still in effect? Yes. Active national emergency and sanctions authority expanded by EO 13726 and continued beyond February 2026.

What does Executive Order 13566 do?

EO 13566 declared a national emergency, blocked property of Muammar Qadhafi, named associates, the Libyan government and designated supporters, and prohibited evasion. Licenses later opened many dealings while preserving blocks on specified assets and persons. EO 13726 expanded the emergency in 2016, and the President continued it beyond February 25, 2026.

Administration position: The sanctions are targeted and license-dependent; they are not a blanket prohibition on every transaction involving Libya.
SignedFebruary 25, 2011
AuthorityIEEPA and National Emergencies Act
AdministratorTreasury OFAC

Before and after

Before the order

Rapid violence and threatened diversion of state assets created no Libya-specific emergency blocking program under this order.

After the order

US-held covered property was frozen and Treasury could designate supporters and issue licenses.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
TreasuryAdminister designations licenses and enforcementContinuing
US personsBlock and report covered propertyContinuing
State and TreasuryCoordinate foreign-policy determinationsContinuing

What happened next

EO 13566 declared the emergency.

EO 13726 expanded the emergency.