The Dominican Republic and Libya are establishing diplomatic relations. The action may help the Caribbean nation tackle its energy woes.
President Leonel Fernandez's press office said after Monday's announcement that Libyan officials are interested in building an oil refinery on the country's north coast.
The refinery would also make products for export to the United States.
The Dominican Republic has to import all its fuel and suffers constant blackouts and energy shortages.
Fernandez met Monday in Tripoli with Saif al-Islam Muammar al-Gaddafi, son of the Libyan leader.
