The U.S. ambassador to Libya, Gene Cretz, raised an American flag over a reopened embassy in Tripoli on Thursday, The Washington Post reports.

Embassy staff was forced out of the country seven months ago, and the old embassy was destroyed in May by forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi. Cretz's former residence will serve as the U.S. embassy until a new permanent location is found.

"I never thought I'd come back, and I'm overjoyed," Cretz said.