The 12th edition of the Ghadames Tourism Desert Rally officially kicked off on Saturday at the historic castle of Sabha in the city of Sabha, Libya.
The rally features hundreds of participants, including off-road drivers, motorcyclists, and parachute jumpers from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Egypt, Italy, France, Russia, Algeria, Tunisia, and Sudan.
Libyan regions are also represented by members of the Libyan Air Sports Federation, including the Freefall Parachute Team and off-road drivers from various areas.
Supported by the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA), the festival’s opening ceremony was attended by the Commander of the Sabha Military Region, General Fawzi Al-Mansouri, and General Al-Mabrouk Sahban, the Head of the Southern Operations Room, along with several security and military figures from the southern regions.
The opening ceremony began with skydiving performances by the military parachute team from an altitude of 4,500 feet, earning the admiration of attendees.
Traditional Libyan folk-art shows were also part of the opening ceremony, highlighting the rich cultural heritage of Libya.
The organising committee provided accommodations for participants in resorts and camps in Sabha, making final preparations for the start of the major desert sports competition on Sunday. The program for the second day includes the first stage of the races to the lakes, followed by a route to the Qamar Al-Sahara Resort.
Additionally, there will be races involving camels, as well as beach volleyball, beach football competitions, chess tournaments, and ongoing folklore and artistic presentations reflecting Libya’s cultural heritage.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Moammar 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.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.