Foreign policy and sanctions

Executive Order 13726: Blocking Property and Suspending Entry Into the United States of Persons Contributing to the Situation in Libya

President: Barack Obama

Expanded Libya sanctions to actors threatening peace, attacking institutions, abusing human rights or exploiting state resources.

Status: In effect.

Is Executive Order 13726 still in effect? Yes. Active Libya sanctions authority under 31 CFR part 570 with current OFAC list actions.

What does Executive Order 13726 do?

EO 13726 broadened the Libya emergency first declared in EO 13566. It authorizes blocking and entry sanctions against people obstructing Libya’s political transition, threatening peace, attacking facilities or civilians, misappropriating state assets or supporting designated actors. OFAC still lists the order in its active Libya program under 31 CFR part 570 and continued designation removals and updates in 2026.

Administration position: The program targets designated actors and blocked government property; it is not a comprehensive ban on all trade or humanitarian activity with Libya.
SignedApril 19, 2016
Base emergencyEO 13566
Regulations31 CFR part 570

Before and after

Before the order

EO 13566 focused heavily on Qadhafi-era officials and Libyan state property.

After the order

Treasury could target a broader range of spoilers, abusers and illicit resource networks.

Who had to do what

Agency / officeActionTiming / position
Treasury OFACDesignate license and enforceContinuing
State DepartmentConsult and apply entry restrictionsContinuing
US personsBlock and report covered propertyContinuing

What happened next

EO 13726 expanded the emergency.