The Dubai Chamber, which represents private-sector companies based in the emirate, says trade with Libya jumped sharply in 2012.

The Ministry of Economy has added kerosene to a list of goods which can only be imported through state-owned oil companies.

Libya imported some $1.3bn (LD1.6bn) of goods and services from Egypt in 2012, making it the second biggest export destination for the Arab world's most populous country.

Indian exports to Libya in April-November 2012 were up more than seven-fold on the same period in 2011, which was severely affected by the conflict, though bilateral trade volumes remain relatively weak.

The main border crossing between Tunisia and Libya has reopened to goods traffic, according to reports, after being blocked for weeks.

Italian figures show that Libya accounted for some €8.3bn (LD13.6bn) of maritime trade with Italy in the first eight months of 2012, more than any other Mediterranean country.

The main border crossing between Tunisia and Libya has reportedly been reopened to goods traffic after blockages lasting around two weeks.

The two border crossings between Libya and Tunisia reportedly remain closed to goods traffic, with the Tunisian prime minister visiting Tripoli to seek a resolution to the crisis.

Russia's ambassador to Libya, Ivan Molotkov, has met Prime Minister Ali Zeidan for talks that included the resumption of work by Russian firms in Libya.

A delegation from a subsidiary of the Islamic Development Bank (IDB) was recently in Tunis to discuss a potential new free trade zone at Ben Guerdane, near the Libyan-Tunisian border.

Trade associations say that ongoing problems at land borders between Tunisia and Libya have cost an estimated TD150m (LD122m) so far, with Tunisian exporters now planning to ship goods to Libya by sea.

UTICA, a major Tunisian trade association, says it is worried about the effect of the unstable security situation on the border with Libya.

The head of a Brazilian delegation which recently visited Tripoli says he is keen to bolster political, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

Following a visit to Tripoli by Spain's foreign minister, the two countries have agreed to create a special joint committee to review contracts signed by Spanish firms under the Gaddafi regime.

Malta's exports to Libya in the first three quarters of 2012 have continued to recover strongly from last year's downturn.