Sirte – The city of Sirte, this Saturday evening, witnessed the inauguration of the Sirte Gulf International Airport following the completion of maintenance, development, and outfitting with the latest international systems and equipment, in an official ceremony attended by a number of senior state officials.
The opening was attended by the head of the Regulatory Bodies Committee at the House of Representatives, Zayed Hadiya, and MPs Mohammed Thamer, Ezzedine Agourib, and Aisha al-Tablagi, alongside Prime Minister Dr. Osama Hammad, the Director of the Development Fund, Engineer Belgasem Khalifa, several ministers, directors of airline companies, the Director of the Sirte Security Directorate, Major General Ahmed Maadi, and the Director of the Airport’s Security Port, Major General Yousef Al-Aslab, in addition to directors of agencies, sectors, companies, banks, and government departments in the city.
In his speech during the celebration, the Director General of the Development Fund affirmed that the airport’s opening represents a new start for the phase of construction and reconstruction in Libya. He saluted the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal Khalifa Belqasim Haftar, who “restored the Libyan state’s prestige and dignity,” noting that “the era of construction and giving has begun through the rebuilding of the Libyan state’s infrastructure, institutions, and human capital.”
He added that the city of Sirte has transformed from a field of destruction into a symbol of development and national unity, confirming that the Development Fund has launched training and qualification programs for youth and graduates to participate in Libya’s reconstruction journey, saying: “We started from Benghazi, we learned the lesson from Derna, and in Sirte, we continue to build in all parts of Libya.”
For his part, the Director General of the National Development Agency, Dr. Mahmoud Al-Farjani, announced the official start of operations at Sirte Gulf International Airport tonight, stressing that the project is a new window for Libya to the world. He pointed out that what has been achieved in Sirte is the fruit of the efforts of the armed forces, which rid the city of terrorism, after which the hands of reconstruction and building took over to continue the journey.
Al-Farjani affirmed that the National Development Agency is moving with steady steps towards achieving Libya’s Vision 2030, extending his thanks to the Commander-in-Chief, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, and the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, First Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, for their continuous support for reconstruction and development projects in the country.
The ceremony was attended by the Mayor of Sirte Municipality, Mukhtar Al-Maadani, the President of Sirte University, Dr. Suleiman Al-Shater, a number of heads of security and military agencies, directors of sectors, banks, public and private companies, as well as media professionals, channel correspondents, and students of the Libyan Red Crescent.
In his speech, the Mayor of Sirte Municipality stressed that the city “embraces the sky with its development projects after being a battleground,” noting that the Commander-in-Chief’s visit two years ago was a turning point in Sirte’s reconstruction journey. He praised the efforts of the Deputy Commander-in-Chief, First Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, in supporting vital projects in the city.
The directors of airline companies (Al-Buraq, Berniq, Sama Al-Mutawasit for Aviation, Libyan Wings, and Taj Aviation) also delivered speeches in which they announced the launch of domestic and international flights from Sirte Gulf International Airport. They emphasized that this event represents a national day that reconnects Libya’s regions with the outside world, expressing their thanks and appreciation to the General Command of the Armed Forces, which paved the way for the rebuilding of this vital facility.
The ceremony concluded with congratulations to the people of Sirte on this great achievement, which restores the city’s pivotal position as a bridge connecting the east, west, and south, and as a new gateway for development and investment in Libya.
Following the ceremony, a number of members of the House of Representatives, accompanied by the Prime Minister, the Ministers of Defense and Transportation, the Director General of the National Development Agency, the Mayor of Sirte Municipality, and the Director of Sirte International Airport, conducted a field tour during which they inspected the airport’s departments, halls, systems, and equipment.
They listened to a detailed explanation from the airport management regarding the total capacity of the airport and expressed their admiration for this achievement and important vital facility that will provide services to Libyan citizens.
The “WAL” correspondent in Sirte reported that Sirte Gulf International Airport includes several lounges, including a special lounge for VIPs, a special lounge for businessmen, and passenger and departure lounges, in addition to offices for airline companies, service and administrative offices, a prayer room, and full-service cafes for travelers’ services, as well as offices for passports, security, customs, and information. The airport contains a parking station with a capacity for 500 cars.
In a related context, Sama Al-Mutawasit Aviation Company honored the Director General of the National Development Agency and the Mayor of Sirte Municipality by presenting them with a shield bearing the company’s logo in appreciation and recognition of their efforts in completing this vital edifice.
