Latest news with #Benghazi
Zawya
a day ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Eastern youth: 'We need representation to trust government institutions'
As part of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya's public consultations with youth on the political process, 21 youth from across the eastern region joined an online consultation on Sunday about the Advisory Committee's proposals to take Libya to elections. Highlighting their recommendations, they said youth must have representation in government institutions in order to rebuild trust with the executive which has been eroded. 'We do not trust any of the current entities. There is a large trust gap among young people and government entities because we do not have any representation,' said one participant from Benghazi. 'None of the existing bodies give space for new players,' said another participant from Benghazi. 'They do not give space to youth. We need new bodies that represent us.' Others agreed saying that the current institutions have lost the confidence of the people, with many believing they have obstructed elections because those running them wish to stay in power. Many participants suggested that Option 4, which stipulates a Constituent Assembly be selected through a dialogue forum to select an interim government and pave the way for elections, was the most reasonable way forward as it gives citizens a voice. But others advocated for options 1, 2 and 3. Option 1 suggests near simultaneous presidential and legislative elections. Option 2 suggests electing a legislature first to adopt a constitution before conducting presidential elections. Option 3 suggests adopting a constitution prior to any elections. 'We have tried options 1 and 2 before and they were unsuccessful,' said a participant from Derna. 'It is like the Advisory Committee put forward four options, the first three of which have already been done.' A participant from Benghazi argued: 'Option 4 is the best option because there is a constituent assembly, and we can be local observers.' 'Simultaneous elections will not work,' said another participant who favoured Option 2. The current political environment is not conducive to linking presidential and legislative elections, as is suggested in the Advisory Committee's first option, they said. 'It is very difficult to have a full electoral track,' said a participant from Benghazi. 'We saw what the government did to prevent elections last time. Any new government must be under a constitutional track that elections follow.' The need for political stability was stressed, with participants saying the impact of the ongoing economic and security situation was taking a significant toll. 'I don't accept a unified government in Tripoli when I need development in my area and they are 1,000 kilometres away,' said one participant from Benghazi. Another from Al Marj, said that all the options were ideal, if Libya was a stable country. They suggested that a national dialogue that included everyone—not just 40 to 50 people— and which represented each region would be hard to ignore if it was established. 'The country requires political and institutional stability for there to be a future. We must let the people choose, not have us subjected to under-the-table agreements,' said another participant. 'There must be real opportunities for women and youth to participate. But there also has to be regional representation. Federalism is a realistic solution to these issues and would save the country from regional separation and ensure a fair distribution of wealth.' Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL).
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Tetra Pak Egypt Area, Zulfa launch $16.3mln greenfield project in Libya
Arab Finance: Tetra Pak Egypt Area, a global leader in food processing and packaging solutions, has launched its first greenfield project in Libya, a key market within Egypt Area, in cooperation with Zulfa, a subsidiary of Alushibe Group, as per an emailed press release. This comes as part of Tetra Pak Egypt Area's strategy to expand its presence in new, high-potential markets, with investment worth €14 million to introduce advanced packaging and processing solutions to the Libyan market for the first time. As finalized by agreement in late 2024, the 140,000-square-meter facility in Benghazi is set to become one of the region's most advanced industrial sites. Operations are scheduled to commence by early 2026, with product rollouts in the milk and juice categories planned for the same period. The first phase of the facility will see fully integrated processing and packaging units operating within an L3 framework, housing mixing systems, UHT and pasteurization treatments, and three production and filling lines. Wael Khoury, Managing Director of Tetra Pak Egypt Area, stated: 'Launching our first greenfield project in Libya is a major step forward in Tetra Pak Egypt Area's strategy to unlock high-growth markets. Libya holds significant potential, and this investment reflects our commitment to contributing to economic and industrial development.' 'Partnering with Zulfa is pivotal to our approach. Together, we're combining Tetra Pak's global expertise with Zulfa's deep local knowledge and strong market presence. This collaboration is built on a shared vision to drive innovation and sustainable progress in Libya's food industry,' Khoury added. For his part, Walid Shehata, Sales Director at Tetra Pak Egypt Area, said: 'This project builds on the solid foundation of our market share in Libya and positions us to capture emerging opportunities as the market evolves.' Hisham Rizk, Sales Director & Business Development Director at Tetra Pak Egypt Area, commented: 'Collaborating with Zulfa empowers us to deliver tailored solutions that meet Libya's unique needs and unlock new avenues for growth.' © 2020-2023 Arab Finance For Information Technology. All Rights Reserved. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Tetra Pak and Zulfa unveil greenfield initiative in Libya
Tetra Pak Egypt Area has launched its inaugural greenfield project in Libya, in partnership with Zulfa, part of Alushibe Group. The initiative involves an investment of €14m ($16m), aimed at bringing advanced packaging and processing technologies to the Libyan market, according to a press release posted on Zawya. The project will establish a 140,000m² facility in Benghazi, with the agreement reached in late 2024. This facility will incorporate fully integrated processing and packaging systems operating under an L3 framework, which will include mixing systems, ultra-high-temperature and pasteurisation processes, as well as three production and filling lines in its initial phase. Operations are expected to begin in early 2026. The initial focus will be on product launches in the milk and juice sectors. This development aligns with Tetra Pak's ongoing efforts to enhance food processing and packaging capabilities while supporting local production and innovation within the food supply chain. Tetra Pak Egypt Area managing director Wael Khoury said: 'Launching our first greenfield project in Libya is a major step forward in Tetra Pak Egypt Area's strategy to unlock high-growth markets. Libya holds significant potential, and this investment reflects our commitment to contributing to economic and industrial development. 'Partnering with Zulfa is pivotal to our approach. Together, we're combining Tetra Pak's global expertise with Zulfa's deep local knowledge and strong market presence. 'This collaboration is built on a shared vision to drive innovation and sustainable progress in Libya's food industry.' Earlier this month, Tetra Pak launched its second aseptic carton material production line at its Binh Duong site in Vietnam. "Tetra Pak and Zulfa unveil greenfield initiative in Libya" was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
Libya's eastern authorities recently expelled a senior European delegation in a move analysts say was meant to send a message: the unrecognised administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be ignored. On July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African country. Their visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi. The delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognised Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah. They then travelled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct contact. Almost immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a "flagrant breach of diplomatic norms", ordering the visiting dignitaries to leave. In Brussels, the European Commission admitted a "protocol issue". Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport "was a calculated move". Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order "to generate de facto European recognition", and thus "broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader". Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an option. - 'Punish Athens' - The complex situation in Libya has required unusual diplomacy. European governments recognise and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar's military forces. In their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military officials. But once at the Benghazi airport, they saw "there were people there that we had not agreed to meet", a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity. "We had to fly back," the official said, adding that "of course" it was linked to recognition of the eastern government. Claudia Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe "it was a premeditated incident". But "the question does present itself as to why" ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said. "We can't completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation," Gazzini added. Libya expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the target. On July 6, two days before the axed visit, "the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives", Harchaoui said. Despite Haftar's personal involvement, the July 6 visit "had yielded nothing", added the expert. Then, on July 8, "a Greek representative -- this time as part of an EU delegation -- wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing", he said. This was "an affront in Benghazi's view", Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to "punish Athens". - Legitimacy - To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to "underestimate" the Haftars' foreign policy. "The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor" in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya's eastern coast, said Harchaoui. The message delivered at the Benghazi airport "is clear: take the eastern faction seriously", he added. Harchaoui said that the Haftars, already "rich in cash and strong" in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to "consolidate their legitimacy". Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia's Vladimir Putin. And Haftar's son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkey, Italy and Niger. Even Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, "is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects", said Megerisi. He added that Turkey also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal. bur-iba/ami/smw/jsa/tc
Arab News
3 days ago
- Politics
- Arab News
Libya commander Haftar seeks to force international engagement
TUNIS: Libya's eastern authorities recently expelled a senior European delegation in a move analysts say was meant to send a message: the unrecognized administration backed by military leader Khalifa Haftar cannot be July 8, an EU commissioner and ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta were in Libya to discuss irregular migration from the North African visit was divided in two, as is Libya, which is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled longtime dictator Muammar delegation first visited the capital Tripoli, seat of the internationally recognized Libyan government of Prime Minister Abdelhamid then traveled to Benghazi, in the east, where a rival administration backed by Haftar and his clan is based, and with whom the EU has generally avoided direct immediately, a reported disagreement prompted the eastern authorities to accuse the European delegation of a 'flagrant breach of diplomatic norms,' ordering the visiting dignitaries to Brussels, the European Commission admitted a 'protocol issue.'Tarek Megerisi, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations think tank, said the scene at the airport 'was a calculated move.'Haftar was playing to EU fears of irregular migration in order 'to generate de facto European recognition,' and thus 'broaden relations with Europe away from just engagement with him as a local military leader.'Turning the delegation away showed that declining to engage with the eastern civilian administration was no longer an complex situation in Libya has required unusual governments recognize and work with the Tripoli-based government and not the eastern administration, but still hold contact with Haftar's military their visit earlier this month, the European commissioner and ministers were meant to meet with eastern military once at the Benghazi airport, they saw 'there were people there that we had not agreed to meet,' a European official in Brussels told journalists on condition of anonymity.'We had to fly back,' the official said, adding that 'of course' it was linked to recognition of the eastern Gazzini, a Libya expert at the International Crisis Group, said she did not believe 'it was a premeditated incident.'But 'the question does present itself as to why' ministers from the eastern government were at the airport in the first place, and why Haftar would let it play out the way it did, she said.'We can't completely rule out that there was some particular issue or bilateral disagreement with one of the countries represented in the delegation,' Gazzini expert Jalel Harchaoui suggested Greece may have been the July 6, two days before the axed visit, 'the Greek foreign minister had come to demand concessions on migration and maritime (issues) without offering any tangible incentives,' Harchaoui Haftar's personal involvement, the July 6 visit 'had yielded nothing,' added the on July 8, 'a Greek representative – this time as part of an EU delegation – wanted to negotiate on the same day with the rival Tripoli government, placing the two governments on an equal footing,' he was 'an affront in Benghazi's view,' Harchaoui said, and the administration wanted to 'punish Athens.'To Harchaoui, the diplomatic flap was a sign not to 'underestimate' the Haftars' foreign policy.'The Haftar family is an absolutely essential actor' in tackling the influx of migrants or, for example, advancing energy projects, due to its key role in securing Libya's eastern coast, said message delivered at the Benghazi airport 'is clear: take the eastern faction seriously,' he said that the Haftars, already 'rich in cash and strong' in terms of strategic assets, have recently increased efforts to 'consolidate their legitimacy.'Haftar himself was hosted in February by French President Emmanuel Macron, and in May by Russia's Vladimir Haftar's son, Saddam, recently visited the United States, Turkiye, Italy and Ankara, which has provided support for the Tripoli-based government in repelling attacks from the east, 'is now seeking to further profit off the Haftars through things like construction projects,' said added that Turkiye also has wider geopolitical ambitions, hoping to see the Haftars endorse a maritime border agreement in the eastern Mediterranean, which Tripoli had already signed but Athens regards as illegal.
