Area Code 252 – Zahra

Geographic Overview

The +218 252 numbering block is a geographic area code assigned to the Zahra district within Libya's national telephony plan. Zahra is a residential and agricultural locality situated in the northwestern region of the country, administratively part of the Zawiya District. It lies approximately 40 kilometers west of Tripoli, the capital, and is connected to the national road network. The area code 252 is used for fixed-line PSTN services, with numbers typically having a total length of 9 digits when dialed internationally (including the country code +218 but excluding the trunk prefix '0').

Dialing Formats

International dialing from abroad: +218 252 XXX XXX (replace X with the subscriber's 6-digit line number). For example, a local number might be +218 252 123 456.
National dialing within Libya: 0 252 XXX XXX (the leading '0' is the trunk prefix).
Local dialing within Zahra (shortened format): If you are calling from another number within the same 252 exchange, you may only need to dial the last 6 digits, but this depends on the operator's local dialing rules.

Coverage and Administration

The 252 code is managed by the Libyan Telecom & Technology (LTT) and other licensed fixed-line operators. It covers the urban and peri-urban zones of Zahra, including its central business district and surrounding residential areas. The code is not an overlay; it is the sole geographic code for this locality. Neighboring areas such as Zawiya City use different codes (e.g., 23), so callers must use the full national number when calling across different area codes.

Caller Instructions

• For local callers (within Libya): Always dial the trunk prefix '0' followed by the area code 252 and the subscriber number. Example: 0 252 123 456.
• For international callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from most European countries, 011 from the US/Canada), then Libya's country code 218, then the area code 252 without the leading '0', followed by the subscriber number. Example: 00 218 252 123 456.
• For mobile callers: Mobile numbers in Libya start with 9x and are not affected by this geographic code. Always use the full national format for fixed-line calls.

Technical Notes

Fixed-line numbers under 252 are allocated to copper and fiber-based PSTN infrastructure. VoIP services may use this code for virtual numbers, but the geographic significance remains. Number portability is not widely available in Libya; therefore, the code generally indicates the physical location of the line. When calling from abroad, ensure you have the correct international prefix for your country, as it varies (e.g., 00, 011, or +).