Germany"s Foreign Ministry says it has reopened the nation's embassy in Tripoli with the aim of rebuilding economic and cultural relations with the "new Libya." The ministry said in a statement Sunday that functions in the embassy would be restored over time. Rainer Eberle was named as the new ambassador.

Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said the embassy would provide assistance to Libya on its way to "becoming a democracy and governed by the rule of law."

Germany closed its embassy in Tripoli in March as fighting in the Libyan capital intensified.