Libya's Haftar Son Vows to Make Up for 'Lost Years' Under Qaddafi
Belgacem Haftar aims to rebuild infrastructure and restore clan legitimacy in eastern Libya.
Benghazi: Belgacem Haftar, son of eastern Libya’s military chief Khalifa Haftar, has outlined a reconstruction program aimed at making up for more than 40 "lost years" under the regime of slain ruler Muammar Qaddafi.
Since Qaddafi's death during the 2011 revolution, Libya has experienced civil war and political division, with the Haftar clan dominating the eastern region.Belgacem, one of Haftar’s six sons, leads a reconstruction program in eastern Libya, which has seen significant investments in infrastructure following the devastating floods in Derna in 2023.
The area is now witnessing the construction of bridges, apartment blocks, schools, and hospitals as part of efforts to revive the region that was marginalized under Qaddafi.The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar controls much of eastern Libya, including oil-rich areas.
Despite the control, Libya remains divided between a UN-recognized government in Tripoli and the eastern administration in Benghazi supported by the Haftars.
A reconstruction fund established in 2024 aims to rebuild Derna with a budget of $2 billion before expanding into the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund.Belgacem emphasized that since Qaddafi's rule, sectors like education and healthcare have been neglected in both eastern and western Libya.
The development push by the Haftars is seen as an attempt to showcase their ability to govern beyond their control areas while the United States attempts to facilitate a rapprochement between Libya’s rival authorities.The reconstruction efforts face accusations of lack of oversight and financial misconduct, which Belgacem dismissed by pointing out the scale and transparency of the projects on the ground.
He stated that all contracts are audited and payments processed through Tripoli's central bank.Libya has faced repression and poverty during and after Qaddafi’s rule.
Belgacem noted that the reconstruction fund has helped mend trust between citizens and the state by implementing long-abandoned projects.
The potential for expansion into western Libya is contingent upon easing tensions with Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, who leads the Tripoli-based government.Signs of a thaw in relations include a recent agreement between rival authorities to unify public spending, which allocated investments worth $3 billion to both eastern and western Libya.
Since Qaddafi's death during the 2011 revolution, Libya has experienced civil war and political division, with the Haftar clan dominating the eastern region.Belgacem, one of Haftar’s six sons, leads a reconstruction program in eastern Libya, which has seen significant investments in infrastructure following the devastating floods in Derna in 2023.
The area is now witnessing the construction of bridges, apartment blocks, schools, and hospitals as part of efforts to revive the region that was marginalized under Qaddafi.The Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Haftar controls much of eastern Libya, including oil-rich areas.
Despite the control, Libya remains divided between a UN-recognized government in Tripoli and the eastern administration in Benghazi supported by the Haftars.
A reconstruction fund established in 2024 aims to rebuild Derna with a budget of $2 billion before expanding into the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund.Belgacem emphasized that since Qaddafi's rule, sectors like education and healthcare have been neglected in both eastern and western Libya.
The development push by the Haftars is seen as an attempt to showcase their ability to govern beyond their control areas while the United States attempts to facilitate a rapprochement between Libya’s rival authorities.The reconstruction efforts face accusations of lack of oversight and financial misconduct, which Belgacem dismissed by pointing out the scale and transparency of the projects on the ground.
He stated that all contracts are audited and payments processed through Tripoli's central bank.Libya has faced repression and poverty during and after Qaddafi’s rule.
Belgacem noted that the reconstruction fund has helped mend trust between citizens and the state by implementing long-abandoned projects.
The potential for expansion into western Libya is contingent upon easing tensions with Prime Minister Abdelhamid Dbeibah, who leads the Tripoli-based government.Signs of a thaw in relations include a recent agreement between rival authorities to unify public spending, which allocated investments worth $3 billion to both eastern and western Libya.
