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Libyan Deputy PM Calls on Russia to Participate in Reconstructing Country

Destroyed and damaged buildings are seen in Sabri, a central Benghazi district, Libya. (Reuters)
Destroyed and damaged buildings are seen in Sabri, a central Benghazi district, Libya. (Reuters)
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Libyan Deputy PM Calls on Russia to Participate in Reconstructing Country

Destroyed and damaged buildings are seen in Sabri, a central Benghazi district, Libya. (Reuters)
Destroyed and damaged buildings are seen in Sabri, a central Benghazi district, Libya. (Reuters)

The Libyan House of Representatives in Tobruk said that the committee responsible for organizing world conference to reconstruct Benghazi has started sending invitations to regional, local and international companies.

The announcement was made at a time when Deputy Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) Ahmed Omar Maiteeq called on Russia to participate in reconstructing his country.

The companies are invited to provide their visions for the reconstruction of Benghazi, amid estimates that it will cost some nine billion dollars.

He noted that Russia played a more active role in Libya in recent months, saying that its actions were aimed at “renouncing violence, achieving peace and restoring Libyan institutions.”

Maiteeq made his remarks on the sidelines of the Mediterranean Dialogues (MED 2017) forum in Rome.

He added that Libya expects Russia to take part in the post-conflict reconstruction of Libya, reported the Russia’s Sputnik news agency.

"Now most of the Russian projects in Libya are still suspended or out of work, but next year will see a trend towards development and reconstruction in Libya and we hope Russia will participate in that," he said.

For his part, member of the House of Representatives Issam al-Jahani told Asharq Al-Awsat that "there was no accurate reading of the extent of the destruction that has been inflicted on Benghazi until now."

He pointed out that the city has "suffered before the war on terrorism from infrastructure deficiencies, which have increased after the war.”

The Libyan-Egyptian Economic Chamber has already revealed "intensive contacts" with the Egyptian government to participate in reconstruction projects in Libya at an estimated cost of $9 billion.

Head of the Libyan side, Hani Soufrakis said that the Central Bank of Libya has approved this amount to fund projects to reconstruct Libyan cities in the east of the country.

Jahani noted however that the cost for the reconstruction of Benghazi “will exceed this figure, given the size of the destruction in the city.”

He pointed out that it has not yet been determined whether this cost will include the reconstruction of fully damaged properties, or if it will be limited to the renovation process alone.

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Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
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Sudanese Army Recaptures Positions from RSF in El Fasher

Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)
Thick smoke rises over El Fasher following clashes between army forces and the RSF (DPA)

The Sudanese army carried out a surprise military operation in the early hours of Saturday in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, regaining several positions in the city’s far southwest that it had previously abandoned to advancing Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Military sources reported that calm returned to El Fasher after intense clashes on Friday between the army and RSF fighters, who attempted a major offensive to deepen their hold inside the city. In a statement, the army said its Sixth Infantry Division successfully repelled a fresh RSF attack, inflicting heavy losses in personnel and equipment, and restored control over all frontline areas.

RSF militants had infiltrated southern neighborhoods, seizing the Central Security Reserve headquarters and the Shalla prison. According to army sources, these forces were pushed back through ground combat supported by extensive drone strikes, forcing them to retreat to their original positions. The sources confirmed there were no significant breakthroughs or territorial gains by the RSF following the operation.

In a statement on Saturday, Prime Minister Kamel Idris expressed “deep anger, pain, and responsibility” over the worsening humanitarian disaster in El Fasher. He condemned the “suffocating and inhumane siege imposed by the RSF militia,” describing it as “one of the most brutal cases of collective extortion and systematic starvation in recent history.”

Idris vowed that the government would not stand idly by in the face of this “atrocious” crime and pledged to use all political, diplomatic, and humanitarian means to break the siege and ensure urgent aid reaches civilians trapped in El Fasher amid widespread starvation and international silence.

He called on United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, along with international and humanitarian organizations, to act immediately to pressure the militia to open humanitarian corridors and end the use of starvation as a weapon against civilians.

The prime minister highlighted the RSF’s refusal to comply with UN Security Council Resolution 2736, which demands lifting the siege on El Fasher, and their rejection of UN calls for a humanitarian ceasefire. He held the militia responsible for obstructing aid and accountable for the ongoing starvation and terror inflicted on civilians.

Idris warned against silence over these crimes, including the killing of civilians fleeing the siege and bombardments. He also cited the systematic destruction of hospitals by RSF suicide drone and strategic attacks, threatening the lives of millions of innocent civilians.

“What is happening in El Fasher is a major crime committed in full view and hearing of the world,” he said, urging the international community to move beyond lukewarm statements to real action and pressure on those besieging, starving, and attacking civilians.

The RSF continues to attempt to seize the city and its army base, the last stronghold of government forces across all Darfur states. Military sources said defenders repelled the assault and inflicted heavy casualties on the attackers.

The RSF has maintained a tight siege on El Fasher since May 2024, blocking all roads and supply routes and preventing humanitarian aid from entering, resulting in hundreds of civilian deaths from starvation and medical shortages.