Libya: Benghazi Looks to Move Past Terrorism Stigma by Hosting African-Asian Parliamentary Conference
Sessions kick off Monday and Tuesday with participation from parliamentary delegations
Cairo: Khaled Mahmoud
The eastern Libyan city of Benghazi is preparing to host a conference featuring parliamentary delegations from several African and Asian countries, a step that the conference organizers view as an opportunity to boost the city's regional presence and highlight the transformations it has undergone after years of conflict and security instability.
On Saturday, the Head of the House of Representatives Diwan, Abdullah Al-Masri, stated that selecting Benghazi to host the conference, which will be held this coming Monday and Tuesday, reflects the security stability and urban development that the city is witnessing, affirming its readiness to organize major international events.
The organization of this conference comes nearly nine years after the forces aligned with the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, declared full control over the city, and at a time when the Libyan political landscape remains divided between eastern and western institutions.
For the authorities in eastern Libya, the conference serves as an occasion to demonstrate improved security and break the stigma of terrorism that Benghazi witnessed years ago, presenting the city as a hub capable of hosting regional and international events after its name was intertwined for years with war and counter-terrorism operations, particularly following nearly a decade of armed clashes that the city witnessed against militant groups and ISIS.
Benghazi has begun welcoming the participating delegations amid intensive preparations that included enhancing security measures around the conference venues and guest accommodations, alongside beautification efforts on several main streets.
Over the past two days, delegations from Malawi, Morocco, Cameroon, South Sudan, and Somalia arrived via Benina International Airport, in addition to representatives from the African Parliamentary Union, signaling broad participation in the conference.
The conference is being held under the slogan Future Vision for African-Asian Relations, and it is scheduled to discuss mechanisms for developing parliamentary cooperation, the role of legislative bodies in supporting sustainable development, and strengthening security and stability, alongside addressing shared challenges facing countries across both continents.
The Spokesperson for the Libyan House of Representatives, Abdullah Bliheg, noted that the conference will feature panel discussions and specialized debates with the participation of parliamentary delegations from countries across both continents, pointing out that the event is part of ongoing efforts to foster dialogue and parliamentary collaboration between Asia and Africa.
The agenda features institutional proposals, including nominating the Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives, Aguila Saleh, to chair the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, and proposing that Benghazi be adopted as the permanent headquarters for the council.
The event is being held under the auspices of the Libyan House of Representatives based in the east, with no announced participation from the Presidential Council or the High Council of State in the west, which underscores the ongoing institutional and political division that Libya has experienced for years.
Meanwhile, the Asian-African Parliamentary Council, led by Mohsen Al-Mandalawi, denied any institutional link to the conference, asserting that any official representation for the council must occur through approved channels and under the direct supervision of its presidency.
The dispute stems from internal disagreements within the council's leadership regarding the conference arrangements and the nomination mechanisms for its leadership positions.
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