Latest news with #Libyans
Libya Observer
2 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Observer
US ambassador reaffirms support for engagement with Libyan cultural components
The US ambassador to Libya, Richard Norland, confirmed his country's belief in the need to represent and protect the rights of all cultural components in Libya, as well as all citizens of the country. The ambassador's remarks came during a telephone conversation with leaders in the Supreme Council of the Amazigh in Libya. The talks focused heavily on the political process in Libya, according to a statement by the US embassy in Libya. Norland confirmed that the US embassy would continue the ongoing discussions with Amazigh leaders and other societal components across the country, as well as the Libyan community abroad, as part of its policy of broad engagement with all Libyans. News Tagged: Richard Norland Libyan Amazigh
Libya Observer
2 days ago
- Business
- Libya Observer
The Curse of Oil That Crushed Our Ambitions
By Omar Swehli, political activist 'Oil will be a curse upon you; it will kill every ambition beyond itself.' These were the words of the journalist Abdulqader Abu Hrous (may he rest in peace), written back in the 1960s. And how true his warning was—for Libyans. In 2011, while Libya was boiling over in the flames of revolution, its small neighbor Malta was officially joining the European Union—carrying with it many hopes… and very few resources. At that time, Malta was a struggling, relatively poor country by European standards:Unemployment was high,Salaries were low,Cars were old and falling apart,Public transport consisted of no more than 40 taxis and 10 buses,Markets were small and few, And shopping malls were a distant dream. Even the roads were congested despite the few vehicles on them, and infrastructure was quite basic. Yet, the Maltese lira was strong, and the economy relied partly on Libyan investment, oil-based aid, and some smuggling of goods from Libya—the wealthy and open country at the time. But then… the equation flipped. While Libya sank deeper into conflict and fragmentation, with its economy drained year after year, Malta—the small, oil-less country with limited land—began rising steadily and silently. In just 14 years, Malta transformed into a small but efficient economic model: Unemployment is nearly nonexistent The country now imports foreign labor to meet growing demand in tourism, construction, and services,High-rise buildings replaced the once-short, crumbling structures,Shopping malls and major commercial centers flourished,Tourism boomed—visitor numbers increased more than tenfold, Bridges were built to ease traffic as roads became filled with modern cars. Today, Malta is among the safest and fastest-growing countries in striving to catch up with European development—not with help from Libya, but without any reliance on it. In fact, Libyans are now the ones hoping for a visa from Malta. Once, Libyans could enter Malta with just a national ID card. Now, they wait for a month to get a visa—and many applications are simply rejected. Meanwhile, Libya, the land of oil and vast spaces, took an entirely opposite path: From a promising state to one torn by war and division,From a strong economy to a fragile system hijacked by corruption and militias,From being open to the world to suffering from isolation and strict visa requirements, From active airports and mega-projects to destroyed infrastructure and abandoned developments. The real pain is not that Malta advanced, but that Libya had more—and lost its way. Fourteen years were enough to change the fate of two neighboring the once-poor state, bet on stability, rationality, and openness—and the oil-rich nation, fell into the trap of conflict and desire—and lost. Lost money, opportunities, and the dignity of its citizens abroad. The painful question remains: Do we still have time to change course? Libya doesn't need more oil. What it truly needs is conscious minds, pure hearts, sincere determination, and loyal hands committed to lifting it up again. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, and do not necessarily reflect those of the Libya Observer Tags: Omar Swehli January 10, 2025 0 comment December 27, 2024 0 comment
Libya Review
2 days ago
- Health
- Libya Review
Libya's Parliament Launches National Health Reform Initiative
On Thursday, the Libyan Parliament hosted the country's first National Forum for Developing the Health System, aiming to lay the groundwork for meaningful and unified health sector reform. The forum was held at the Parliament's headquarters under the supervision of the National Center for Health System Development and with the support of the parliamentary Health and Environment Committee. The event brought together a wide array of stakeholders, including several members of parliament, ministers, senior officials, medical professionals, and health policy experts. Among the key attendees were Deputy Chair of the Health and Environment Committee Dr. Hassan Al-Zarqa, MPs Sultanah Al-Masmari, Mohamed Tamer, Abdulwahab Zoulia, Intisar Shneib, and Salah Al-Zoubik. Also present were Dr. Rasmi Balrouin, Deputy Head of the Parliamentary Office, and Dr. Muftah Twilb, Director of the National Center for Health System Development. The forum addressed the pressing challenges facing Libya's healthcare sector, including poor infrastructure, shortages of resources, lack of trained personnel, and the absence of a national framework to deliver services fairly and efficiently. Discussions highlighted the urgent need for an integrated system capable of meeting the basic health needs of all Libyans. Participants shared insights from successful healthcare models implemented in other countries and presented national strategies tailored to Libya's unique circumstances. These strategies focused on improving healthcare governance, enhancing workforce training, ensuring fair distribution of services, and establishing more efficient financing mechanisms. The forum concluded with a call to transform the ideas and recommendations into actionable policies. Attendees emphasized the need for collaboration between legislative, executive, and private sector actors to ensure reforms are effectively implemented on the ground. Tags: ForumHealthcare Systemlibyaparliament
Morocco World
4 days ago
- Politics
- Morocco World
UN Envoy Commends Morocco's Role in Supporting Peace in Libya
Rabat – The United Nations Special Representative for Libya, Hanna Serwaa Tetteh, commended Morocco on Monday for its strong support in helping Libyan parties work towards peace and political agreement. Speaking to the press after meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita in Rabat, Tetteh expressed her 'deep appreciation' for Morocco's efforts in supporting the UN mission and pushing forward the political process in Libya. She described Morocco as a 'very important partner' in helping the Libyan sides move closer to an agreement. The UN official noted that Morocco played a key role in advancing several 'critical stages' of the dialogue between the Libyan factions and helping them to find common ground. Tetteh also spoke about the current situation in Libya, which she described as 'very sensitive.' She pointed to recent tensions in Tripoli and the municipal elections that faced many challenges. The United Nations, she added, is now working with Libyan stakeholders to develop a new political roadmap. She reaffirmed the UN's commitment to continue working alongside Libyans, with support from Morocco and the international community, to end the political crisis. Morocco has been actively involved in the Libyan peace process for years. In 2015, the country hosted the Skhirat Agreement talks, which resulted in a UN-backed political deal aimed at unifying the country's rival governments. The agreement was seen as a major step toward restoring stability in Libya. More recently, Morocco hosted several rounds of dialogue between representatives of the Libyan House of Representatives and the High Council of State to help them agree on key issues such as appointments to sovereign positions and preparations for elections. Moroccan officials, including King Mohammed VI and Foreign Minister Bourita, have consistently stressed the need for a Libyan-led solution, without foreign interference. Morocco believes that stability in Libya is vital for the security of the entire North African region. Tags: LibyaMoroccopolitics
Libya Review
5 days ago
- Politics
- Libya Review
Libya's HNEC Finalises Plans for Key Local Elections
The High National Elections Commission (HNEC) of Libya has officially announced Saturday, August 16, 2025, as the date for municipal elections for the second group of local councils. The announcement was made on August 4 through Decision No. 125 of 2025, following the completion of key preparatory stages. According to the Commission's statement, 23 executive decisions were issued to facilitate the electoral process, reflecting the scale of efforts exerted despite persistent challenges. The HNEC reaffirmed its commitment to uphold electoral laws and resist any attempts to obstruct or interfere with its institutional course. 51 Municipalities Ready for Polling Preparations have included the full setup of polling centers and stations across 51 municipalities, in addition to completing training programs for polling committee staff. The Commission urged all state institutions—particularly security agencies—to provide full support to ensure a safe and smooth voting process. Strict Warning Against Violations on Election Day The Commission called on all candidates and lists to finalize the registration of their agents and to respect the mandatory electoral silence on Friday, August 15. It warned against any form of campaigning on election day, stressing that legal measures will be strictly enforced against violators. Observers Urged to Maintain Neutrality On the issue of monitoring, the HNEC directed accredited organizations to adhere to regulatory guidelines and maintain full impartiality, noting that observers play a crucial role in guaranteeing transparency and integrity in the elections. In its closing remarks, the Commission extended gratitude to all contributors who helped reach this stage, stating that these elections represent the aspirations of Libyans to build a future grounded in stability and development. Candidate Disqualifications Announced In a separate development, the HNEC issued Decision No. 127 of 2025, which disqualified a number of candidates in the second group of municipal elections for failing to meet the endorsement criteria outlined in the candidacy regulations. Tags: HNEClibyaLibyan Elections
