The first conference on the reconstruction of South Libya was launched at the Fazzan Palace in Sebha, attended by Libyan Army Commander Khalifa Haftar, Speaker of the House of Representatives Aguila Saleh, and the government-appointed Prime Minister Osama Hamad. Aguila Saleh, the Speaker of the House, called for understanding and dialogue among all parties to address Libyan issues and maintain national security. He pledged to work on the reconstruction and development of various regions in Libya in the coming period. Saleh also emphasized the need to clear the capital, Tripoli, of armed groups and reaffirmed the House of Representatives’ support for the General Command’s efforts to achieve security, stability, and development in southern Libya.
Libyans have made significant progress in national reconciliation by signing a reconciliation pact between the Tebou and Arab communities in the town of Murzuq in southern Libya, ending years of conflict between them. The Murzuq crisis, which began in 2019, involved an attack on the city by cross-border forces under tribal cover, leading to clashes between local factions. These clashes resulted in deaths, injuries, and the displacement of approximately 5,000 families, some of whom sought refuge in neighboring cities or moved to cities in northeastern Libya, such as Benghazi. Since then, local and international efforts have continued to reconcile the factions and return the displaced.
The reconciliation pact includes commitments from both sides to cease hostilities, activate dialogue for peaceful resolution, establish clear terms for halting the conflict, provide guarantees for compliance, and set up mechanisms for monitoring the ceasefire. It also includes assessing damages, compensating victims, and addressing the harm caused, as stated in a government statement published on its Facebook page on the evening of September 5. This reconciliation pact follows the completion of the work by the Comprehensive Reconciliation Committee, headed by Defense Minister Ahmed Huma, which was established by a government decree (No. 67) on April 28, 2024. The committee assessed all financial and social aspects of the city and the disputing parties, evaluated damages, and estimated compensation for both sides’ victims.
The actions of the authorities controlling southern Libya indicate their desire to fully control reconstruction efforts and the substantial funds involved. Consequently, conferences and gatherings advocating for the implementation of these reconstruction plans and subsequent decisions have emerged, notably during the conference attended by Haftar and his son.
On the other hand, the dismissed Libyan Government of National Unity announced the resumption of flights at Sebha Airport, which had been closed for 10 years. In a statement on their official Facebook page on Sunday morning, they reported: “After being closed for 10 years, and with the efforts of the Ministry of Transportation of the Government of National Unity and the Civil Aviation Authority, Sebha Airport has resumed international flights.” The statement also highlighted the departure of the first flight to Borg El Arab Airport in Alexandria, operated by African Airlines.
This ongoing struggle among Libya’s political factions to fully control the southern part of the country illustrates their competition for natural resources and substantial financial resources.
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