The United Kingdom’s (UK) Ambassador to Libya, Martin Longden, and his accompanying delegation visited the municipality of Benghazi on Monday. During the visit, he met with the Chairman of the Municipal Council, Saqr Omar Boujawari, to discuss mechanisms for economic coordination.
The municipality stated in a press release that it discussed the potential for cooperation in various economic sectors, including arranging meetings between British and Libyan businessmen and chambers of commerce in both countries.
Boujawari highlighted the importance of the economic aspect in creating stability and the impact of the current political situation on the work of municipalities.
Ambassador Longden emphasized the significance of cooperation in economic areas and its positive outcomes on all levels.
Earlier this week, Longden held a pivotal meeting with Emad Al-Sayah, the Chairman of the High National Elections Commission (HNEC) of Libya. The discussion centered on enhancing the electoral process in the country and assessing the commission’s preparedness for the forthcoming elections.
During the meeting, Ambassador Longden expressed the UK government’s readiness to extend comprehensive technical and advisory assistance to the Libyan electoral body. This move underscores the UK’s commitment to supporting democracy and stability in Libya, a nation striving to navigate through a complex political landscape.
The conversation between Longden and Al-Sayah was pivotal in exploring avenues for collaboration and support, particularly in the technical domain. This in order to ensure that Libya’s HNEC is well-equipped to conduct the upcoming elections efficiently and transparently.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
