The Maghreb Union of Journalists has officially received its permanent headquarters in Benghazi, marking a major step in strengthening regional media cooperation across North Africa.
Nasr Al-Mahdawi, Secretary-General of the Maghreb Union of Journalists, announced the formal handover of the union’s permanent office in the eastern Libyan city. He said the move implements a decision taken during the union’s General Conference, held in Benghazi last April, when member states unanimously approved the city as the official and permanent headquarters of the organisation.
In a statement issued on Friday, Al-Mahdawi said the opening of the headquarters represents the beginning of a new phase in the union’s work. He added that it signals the actual launch of the union’s institutional activities and will support media and journalistic cooperation among Maghreb countries.
He explained that the new headquarters will provide a professional platform for journalists and media professionals to exchange expertise, strengthen joint action, and advance the interests of the journalism sector across the region.
Al-Mahdawi noted that Benghazi had been decorated with the flags of the five founding Maghreb countries: Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. He expressed pride in the selection of Benghazi as the permanent home of the union, saying the decision reflects the confidence granted to Libya by member states.
He also said the move highlights Benghazi’s growing role in hosting regional institutions and supporting collective Maghreb initiatives.
Al-Mahdawi praised the role of Jalal Al-Shuwaihdi, Chairman of the Media Committee at the Libyan House of Representatives, for his contribution to the project. He specifically commended Al-Shuwaihdi’s signing of the hosting agreement last October, describing it as one of the key steps that paved the way for establishing the union’s permanent headquarters.
He also thanked Osama Hammad’s government for its support of the union and for hosting the General Conference in Benghazi last April. Al-Mahdawi said this support helped secure Libya’s successful bid to host the official headquarters of the Maghreb Union of Journalists.
Al-Mahdawi added that he had been elected Secretary-General of the union by unanimous agreement of representatives from the member states. He said the consensus reflected the trust placed in him by the journalistic and media community across the Maghreb region.
As part of efforts to complete the union’s organisational structure, Al-Mahdawi announced the dismissal of Hossam Eddin Jibril Al-Taeb from the duties assigned to him as Deputy Secretary-General. He explained that the decision was taken to regulate administrative work and ensure compliance with the union’s statute, which does not include such a position within its official organisational structure.
Al-Mahdawi concluded by confirming that the next meeting of the Executive Office will be held in Nouakchott, the capital of Mauritania. The meeting is expected to approve the union’s final organisational structure and complete the regulations governing its work.
He said these steps will strengthen the union’s official launch and support its professional and media objectives across the Maghreb countries.
