Benghazi’s Antiquities Monitoring Office has called for the creation of a modern national museum to be included in the city’s wider reconstruction plans, saying the project is essential for preserving Libya’s historical and cultural identity.
The appeal came on International Museum Day, marked each year on 18 May, a global occasion that celebrates museums as cultural spaces connecting history, identity and public knowledge. However, the office said Benghazi was unable to properly mark the day because the city lacks a national museum capable of displaying its rich archaeological and historical legacy.
According to the office, the absence of such an institution deprives Benghazi of a central cultural landmark that could document the city’s past, protect its heritage and present it to future generations.
The office said Benghazi, often described as a city of culture and reconstruction, needs a modern and secure museum as part of its development vision. It added that reconstruction should not be limited to buildings, roads and infrastructure, but must also include projects that protect memory, identity and historical continuity.
The office stressed that Benghazi and its surrounding areas contain archaeological sites and historical artefacts of major value. However, the lack of a properly equipped and safe venue prevents these items from being displayed to researchers, visitors, students and the wider public.
It said a national museum would serve as a cultural centre, educational platform and tourist attraction, while also helping to strengthen public awareness of Libya’s diverse heritage.
The office concluded by urging authorities to place the museum project at the top of Benghazi’s reconstruction priorities, describing it as a necessary cultural institution that reflects the city’s historic importance and long-standing role in Libya’s national identity.
