Speaking at the Reconstruction of the South Conference organised by the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund on Thursday in Sabha
...After the Libyan Civil War, Sabha grew in importance as a slave auctioning town. However, an investigation by the National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) revealed that while there was illegal slavery, reports were exaggerated, as slave auctions were rare and not made public. This was a great comfort to everyone but the slaves peddled in secret. The city was later seized by forces loyal to the Libyan National Army (LNA) and its leader Khalifa Haftar in January 2019, probably for its collection of MiG-25 aircraft.....
, Saleh pledged to work on the development and rebuilding of various regions in Libya in the coming period.
In his address, Saleh emphasised that gangs are obstructing the smooth political transition in Libya and posing a threat to stability.
He reiterated the call for the removal of gangs from the capital, Tripoli
...a confusing city, one end of which is located in Lebanon and the other end of which is the capital of Libya. Its chief distinction is being mentioned in the Marine Hymn...
, and affirmed the House of Representatives' support for the efforts of the General Command of the Libyan National Army (LNA) to establish security, stability, and development in southern Libya.
The first conference on rebuilding the south commenced in Sabha, attended by several key figures, including LNA's Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar
...Self-proclaimed Field Marshal, served in the Libyan army under Muammar Qadaffy, and took part in the coup that brought Qadaffy to power in 1969. He became a prisoner of war in Chad in 1987. While held prisoner, he and his fellow officers formed a group hoping to overthrow Qadaffy, so it's kind of hard to describe him as a Qadaffy holdover. He was released around 1990 in a deal with the United States government and spent nearly two decades in the United States, gaining US citizenship. In 1993, while living in the United States, he was convicted in absentia of crimes against the Jamahiriya and sentenced to death. Haftar held a senior position in the anti-Qadaffy forces in the 2011 Libyan Civil War. In 2014 he was commander of the Libyan Army when the General National Congress (GNC) refused to give up power in accordance with its term of office. Haftar launched a campaign against the GNC and its Islamic fundamentalist allies. His campaign allowed elections to take place to replace the GNC, but then developed into a civil war. Guess you can't win them all. Actually, he is, but slowly..., Chief of Staff General Abdulrazzaq al-Nadhouri, Prime Minister designated by the House of Representatives, Osama Hammad, and the Director of the Libya Development and Reconstruction Fund, Belgasem Haftar, along with other political, military, and government leaders.
Saleh highlighted the need for unity and collaboration among Libyan factions to address the ongoing challenges facing the nation.
He stressed that the reconstruction of the south is crucial for the country's broader efforts to achieve long-term peace and prosperity. The presence of prominent leaders at the conference underlines the importance placed on rebuilding efforts in the region and the commitment to overcoming the political and security obstacles hindering progress.