On Thursday, Libya’s Parliament-designated Prime Minister, Osama Hammad, announced the launch of comprehensive development projects in southern Libya, marking a significant shift in government focus towards revitalizing the historically neglected region.
Speaking at the First Conference on the Reconstruction of the South in Sebha, Hammad outlined his administration’s strategic plans to bring long-overdue infrastructure and economic improvements to towns and villages across the South.
Hammad reaffirmed his government’s commitment to fully supporting the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, led by Belgasim Haftar, by providing the necessary financial and logistical resources to ensure the success of ongoing and future projects. The conference, a landmark event aimed at addressing the region’s deep-rooted challenges, was attended by key political and military leaders, including Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), Ageela Saleh, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Abdel-Razek Al-Nathouri, Chief of Staff of the LNA.
During his speech, Hammad praised the collaboration between the House of Representatives and the Libyan National Army, particularly in fostering development, reconstruction, and social reconciliation in regions like Murzuq, where local disputes have been settled through comprehensive peace efforts.
Hammad emphasized that several strategic infrastructure projects are already underway in southern Libya, spanning key sectors such as transportation, utilities, and social services. These projects aim to improve the quality of life for residents and help integrate the south into the broader national development framework. His government’s focus is on ensuring the highest standards of execution and efficiency to achieve tangible results that address the decades of neglect the region has faced.
Southern Libya, a region rich in natural resources such as oil and gas, has long been marginalized despite its strategic importance as a crossroads for trade and migration. The area has suffered from underdevelopment, poor infrastructure, and the lack of essential services, leaving it vulnerable to instability, smuggling, and militia activity. Hammad’s administration is now prioritizing large-scale development to bring stability and economic growth to the region.
The Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, under Belgasim Haftar’s leadership, has been pivotal in these efforts, with recent successes in rebuilding cities like Derna and other regions devastated by natural disasters. Hammad paid tribute to those who have lost their lives in the fight to bring peace and development to Libya, acknowledging the sacrifices made in pursuit of a better future.
The conference’s theme, “From Marginalization to Reconstruction,” underscores the pressing need to address the long-standing neglect of southern Libya. High-level attendees included military and political leaders such as Second Deputy Speaker Mosbah Douma, General Abdel-Razek Al-Nathouri, and Khaled Haftar, Chief of Staff of Security Units, alongside ministers, deputy ministers, and mayors from the region. Their participation highlighted the collective will to transform the south from a neglected region into a thriving hub of economic activity.
Southern Libya’s vast desert borders countries like Chad, Niger, and Sudan, making it a crucial region for controlling migration routes and maintaining regional stability. By focusing on infrastructure and development, the government aims to reduce the region’s reliance on illicit activities and bring lasting peace and economic growth to this critical part of the country.
