LIBYA,
NORTH AFRICA SECTION PAGE
Libya: IHI in Joint
Venture on Hotel Project in Benghazi
I
nternational
Hotel Investments p.l.c. announces that it has signed a
joint venture agreement with the Libyan Foreign
Investment Company for the development of a 360 bedroom,
five-star hotel in central Benghazi, Libya's second
largest city.
The signing followed a site inspection
by the Libyan Prime Minister Mr El-Baghdadi Ali
El-Mahmoudi during which IHI's development plans were
outlined in some detail. The agreement now paves
the way for the preparation of construction, which is
expected to commence this year. The hotel's
operation will be entrusted to IHI's subsidiary company,
CHI Limited.
The hotel is being constructed on a
7,000 square metre footprint on the water-front in
central Benghazi. Part of the present site housed
the former, historic, Al Jazira Hotel.
The hotel's 360 rooms will include a
number of executive bedrooms, suites and a presidential
suite. The hotel will offer extensive conference
facilities, restaurants, business centre, a spa and
underground parking for almost 100 cars. The
development will also include a number of serviced
commercial offices and retail outlets which will help to
transform the area into a hub of
activity.
The Libyan Foreign Investment Company
is a major investment arm of the Libyan government with
extensive experience in hotel investments in the Middle
East, Europe and other parts of the world.
International Hotel Investments p.l.c.
is an investor, developer and operator of upscale hotels
in Europe, Middle East and Africa. The company at present
owns landmark properties in St Petersburg, Tripoli,
Budapest, Prague, Lisbon and Malta.
For further details please contact Mr
Alfred Fabri on +356 2551 4117 or mobile number +356 9947
5368.
Libya:
The tourists' next destination
By Mahmood
Poonja
Why should anybody consider visiting
this North African country? After all, if North Africa
fascinates any tourist, there are other countries
including Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco &endash; all of
which are popular tourist destinations. Libya is more
known as the country that is led by Muhammar Gaddafi and
it's possible role in the Lockerbie affair. It would
surprise most people to know that Libya houses some of
the most interesting archaeological ruins dating back
from the Roman and Greek periods, including some of the
most well known World Heritage sites. All these, with a
chequered history going back to the seafaring Phoenician
times and the fact that the country had been closed to
the conventional tourists, Libya is becoming a curious
destination for one who wants to see some of the best
Roman ruins, and see it before most
people.
continued
US Business Delegation
to Visit Libya
A fifteen-person US business
delegation under the auspices of the Corporate Council on
Africa (CCA) will meet in Libya with government and
private business officials to explore possible business
opportunities in Libya following an eighteen-year trade
embargo on that nation. While some individual US
companies recently have entered Libya to explore business
opportunities, this is the first non-oil multi-company
business delegation to visit Libya since sanctions were
lifted in June. The delegation will be in Tripoli
July 30-August 2.
Former US Ambassador Mark Parris
will lead the delegation. Parris served as US
Ambassador to Turkey and was also on the National
Security Council staff as Advisor, Middle East
Affairs. Parris now chairs the Libya Working Group
for the Corporate Council on Africa. "We are not
sure what will result from this trip."said Parris. "The
Libyans really haven't received such a diverse body of US
companies as represented by this delegation. We
want to assess whether the country is open and ready for
business with US companies beyond the oil sector.
This visit will be an excellent opportunity to make that
assessment." Parris stated that CCA has worked
closely with the US Department of State and the
Department of Commerce in preparing for the
visit.
The delegation will also include
CCA President Stephen Hayes. "The embargo was an
important tool for change, and it was effective in
bringing about some fundamental changes in dealing with
one another. The past should never be forgotten,
nor should we miss the opportunity now to build a better
future." Hayes noted that if this delegation
concludes a successful visit, more business programs
could be developed with Libya.
The Corporate Council on Africa is
a non-profit organization in Washington, DC comprised of
190 member corporations. Collectively, the members
of CCA represent more than eighty percent of all US
private investment in Africa. CCA defines Africa as
the entire continent and not only of the sub-Saharan
nations. Membership in CCA is approximately equally
divided among large corporations and small businesses,
all of which are invested in Africa.
The
Tourists's next destination (continued)Modern day
Libya is the fourth largest African country. It is
bordered by Egypt, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Tunisia and
Algeria with over 2000 kms of beautiful Mediterranean Sea
coastline. With an area of 1.75 million sq km. (three
times that of France) and a population of only 4.5
million, Libya offers a large mass of land that is
sparsely inhabited due to the ravaging Sahara
Desert.
Libya has played host to many
civilizations resulting in the remains of clear and
visible writings, drawings and engravings in the caves of
the Tadrart mountains and the rich archaeological
treasures in Ataft, Phoenician, Roman, and the Byzantine
ports of Tripoli, Sabratha, Libdah, Shah'hat, Susa,
Tukrah and Talmitha. The old Islamic cities of Sirt,
Darnah, and Ajdabiya, and the desert cities of Ghadames,
Zuwaylah, Jalu, Ojla, Ghat and Fezzan all offer
interesting insight into the indigenous life style of the
Berber people. Amongst all this, Libya is the home of
Sabratha, Cyrene and the incredible Leptis
Magna.
Tourism to Libya is very limited.
For about a decade there was the UN sanction on air
services to Libya. With no airline operating to Libya,
the daring tourists, in pursuit of viewing the rich
archaeological ruins and experiencing adventure and
culture in the desert, made their way by using the road
border with Tunisia or taking the boat from Malta. Within
just a few months from the lifting of the UN sanctions
(the Lockerbie judgment was passed only on Jan 30, 2001),
European airlines have invaded this country with direct
flights both into the capital city of Tripoli and to the
eastern resort city of Benghazi. Today, we have almost
three weeks a flight by carriers like British Airways
from London, Lufthansa from Frankfurt, Alitalia from
Rome, Swiss Air from Zurich, Turkish Airlines from
Istanbul, etc. In spite of air services flights and the
fact that Egypt also has now opened a road border with
Libya, the surface journey from Tunis still remains the
route to experience the old and new of Libya.
A little bit on the rich history
of Libya. By about 800 B.C., the Phoenicians had founded
three settlements at Leptis Magna, Sabratha and Oea. This
came to be known initially as Tirpolitania (later
Tripoli, literally meaning "three cities"). and in the
5th Century, it was incorporated into the Carthaginian
Empire. Whilst western Libya was flourishing, eastern
Libya too had its advent when the Greeks founded the city
of Cyrene (now Shabat) in the 7th Century B.C. Here too,
many settlements came into being like Hesperides (modern
day Benghazi) Bara (al Marj) and Cyrenaica &endash; the
name given to the Greek ruled coast of Libya. About 500
B.C. this part was annexed to the Persian
Empire.
After Alexander's conquest of
Egypt in 332 BC, Cyrenaica, which was then a part of the
Macedonian Empire, was acceded in 323 BC to become part
of the Ptolemaic Empire and in 96 B.C.; it became part of
the Roman Empire. After it's defeat, Carthage became part
of the Roman Empire in 146 B.C. This lasted until 4th
Century A.D followed by Berber and Arab rule. Later, we
see intermittent period of Ottoman Turks rule until 1912,
when the Italians started with their first of many
attempts at colonizing Libya.
World War II brought the end of
the Italian influence with General Rommel's defeat at
Tobruk. In 1951, Libya saw its independence by becoming a
constitutional monarchy. At that time, Libya was probably
the poorest country in Africa. In 1969, an army mutiny
led to the revolution that brought Col Muhammar Gaddafi
to power.
Libya attractions to the tourist
is in the rich archaeological sites centered along the
Mediterranean Sea, in the desert in areas like Ghaddames,
and experience the hospitable Berber way of life. The
Berbers still retain a life style that is very much
desert influenced, Arab in culture - to the extent that
one would hardly believe that the country has gone
through centuries of foreign domination.
The Tunisia-Libya border offers a
24 hour 7 days a week check post, and makes it not only
convenient but also the most logical route. One needs to
have a visa for Libya that has to be obtained in advance.
Tourists are required to have a pre arranged tour program
and the tour operator has to apply for the visas that is
first approved by Tripoli. Once approved, the visa can
then be issued by any Libyan Embassy abroad. This process
does not require sending the passport abroad not having
it stamped upon arrival/exit.
The border formalities for
tourists are quite brisk in spite of the long lineups of
trucks crossing into Libya from Tunisia. Once the border
formalities are done, there are usually no more check
posts for the entire tour itinerary. Road conditions are
excellent, however, one does see scattered plastic bags
and tires along the highways.
The first place that comes en
route to Tripoli, is the magnificent World Heritage site
of Sabratah (Sabrata, Sabratha) located on the beautiful
Mediterranean coastline. It was founded by the Canaanites
in the 6th century BC. Like Leptis Magna, Sabratah began
as a settlement to service the coastal trade of the
Carthaginians.
Sabratah offers a majestic
Amphitheatre as it's main site with a wide variety of
public baths, temples and fountains with many
artistically designed mosaics both on site and in the
adjacent Museum, Some Byzantine remains exemplify the
revival after the invasions by the Vandals. Amongst the
walls and foundations of public buildings discovered in
the city, are the market, tribunal and some temples. The
most prominent features of the city during Roman times
was the public arenas, Temples of Liber Pater, Sirapis,
Isis, and Hercules, the forum, the theatre, the tribunal
arena, and the public paths. Ruins of the earliest
Phoenician settlements have been found beneath the Roman
town in the area between the forum and the Sea. Most of
the archaeological remains are still intact after several
centuries. A visit to Sabratah site can take anything
from five hours and more.
An hours drive east of Sabratah,
is Tripoli, the capital of modern day Libya. The old
walled Medina, is one of the classical sites of the
Mediterranean. The basic street plan was laid down during
the Roman period when the walls were constructed on the
landward sides against attacks from the interior of
Tripolitania. The high walls survived many invasions,
each conqueror restoring the damage done by the previous
ruler. In the 8th Century, the Muslim ruler built a wall
on the sea-facing side of the city.
The dominating site of Tripoli is
the castle, Al-Saraya Al-Hamra, which occupies the east
quadrant of the old city. Any tour of the old city should
begin at the castle, entering from the landside near Suq
Al-Mushir. It houses a library and a well-displayed
museum offering excellent view of the city. The Castle
Museum is specialized in archaeology and artifacts of
ancient Libyan history. It covers the Phoenician, Greek
and Roman periods and has an expanding collection on the
Islamic period.
The old city has several key
elements worth visiting. The old city walls are still
standing and can be climbed. The Harbour Monument stands
at the gates of the narrow lane old city where there are
a number of restored houses, consulates and a synagogue.
There are a number of interesting mosques including the
Karamanli Mosque, the En-Naqah Mosque and the Gurgi
Mosque both in the old town and adjacent to it. The best
known of the Tripoli mosques is the Gurgi Mosque with its
elegant architecture.
No visit to Libya is complete
without visiting Leptis Magna, the jewel of Libya. The
city was born as a Phoenician port of call on the trading
route. It joined Rome in 111 BC and enjoyed full rights
as colony to Roman citizenship under the Emperor Trajan
(98-117 AD). The early Roman period saw the construction
of the basic harbour and a forum. The city flourished
under the rule and patronage of Septimus Severus (193-211
AD) who was born in Leptis Magna itself and was the only
Roman ruler to have been born in Africa. Most of the
major buildings at Leptis date from his time. The city
started along the coast and then spread inland. All the
important buildings can be reached, as they are adjacent
to or just off the main paved monumental road from the
present entrance of the site.
A complete inspection of the
wealth of monuments at Leptis Magna requires more than a
day and even longer for visitors with specialized
interest. The site has been well-preserved with unequaled
range of buildings as old as 1500 years. The first Roman
forum, the temple of Roma and Augustus, temples of
Antoninus and Cybele, basilica the Curia, are just a few
of the many remains that make Leptis Magna the world's
most extraordinary site and probably amongst the most
well most known World Heritage sites.
Leptis Magna offers ruins from the
Augustan period when the city's first forum was built.
Amongst other structures, include the Temples of
Antaoninus and Cyhele which was later converted to a
church in the Byzantine period the Basilica, which was
used as city courts and Curia which was used as a city
council.
Another building still standing is
the Maceliium &endash; the popular Standing Market. This
is where the residents of Leptis Magna bought their daily
food and wares. It is a high walled structure,
rectangular in shape, with roof that provided shade to
the people. In the centre is a place built for merchants
to display their ware &endash; probably the origin of the
trade shows. This structure was in two pavilions
supported by huge octagonal shaped columns. A special
area was also built for traders to conduct international
trade where coins, wheat, ivory, oil, etc. was exchanged
and transactions contracted. It was here that the
elephants were procured that were used both by Hannibal
in his journey to Italy and the Romans to slaughter in
their amphitheatres.
An impressive amphitheatre also
existed in the Augustan city that was built around the
1st and 2nd year CE. It had a semi circular auditorium
linked to the stage structure. The exterior walls, which
had pilasters, rose to a height of a three stories
building. At each end of the corridors there were
passages, both for the viewers and the stage show
participants. Special sections in the auditorium were
designated for the VIP's. The stage floor also had
special storage areas built underneath to store items
used in the performances. There were also some dressing
rooms for the artistes.
The tourist attractions that Libya
offers is not confined to archaeology only. One of the
best experiences that the country offers is a visit to
Ghadames desert, 300 Kms. south of Tripoli. Built in an
oasis, Ghadamès, "the pearl of the desert", is one
of the oldest pre-Saharan cities and an outstanding
example of a traditional settlement. The main purpose was
to offer it's residents a cool housing to stand against
the desert heat. Its architecture is characterized by the
different functions assigned to each storey - the ground
floor used to store supplies, another floor extending
over dark enclosed passages forming a system of
passageways with open-air terraces reserved for
women.
At Ghadames, one finds a tranquil
old city, with covered streets that are both dark and
with far lower temperatures than what one would
experience in the high temperature desert outside. In
order to give light, all the walls are painted white
giving an additional cooling effect. The positioning of
the houses is far from casual. The spatial configuration
of Ghadames is unique. Its roughly circular plan is
enclosed by the reinforced back-walls of the houses at
the periphery. The street pattern consists of narrow and
obscure corridors, which are integrated into the
architecture of the dwellings at the ground floor level
and mainly used by men.
The city consists of seven
neighbourhoods, each inhabited by a tribe with its own
mosque and a central open public space. Houses have
square plans and are generally two story high connected
by terraces at the attic level. A typical house of
Ghadames is "an outstanding example of a traditional
human settlement which is representative of a culture and
which has become vulnerable under the impact of
irreversible change."
Author Tore Kjeilen, wrote in
1996, "Ghadames ... is the result of a complex knowledge
on how to deal with extreme temperatures. The positioning
of the houses are far from casual. Every angle, every
wall, every opening in the roofs over the alleyways, are
parts of the same organism."
Though Ghadames still stands
intact, people have moved into modern settlements nearby.
However, come summer, they take refuge in the old city
when the heat becomes unbearable, In spite of modern
technology, the traditional cooling system is considered
more effective.
In earlier days, the lifeline of
Ghadames was dependent on trade through the Sahara. Today
the 10,000 people living here are dependent mostly on
agriculture. Tourism is another source of revenue that is
gradually gaining ground. Ghadames now has a three-day
interesting tourist festival held annually in October to
coincide with the harvest. During this festival, display
of local traditions and horsemanship, desert safaris,
traditional dances. are some of the many events that take
place.
The architecture of Ghadammes has
been of interest to people for many years. James Richard
, observed in 1848, "Both houses and streets are
admirably adapted for the climatic, protecting the
inhabitants alike from the fiery glare of the summer's
sun, and the keen blasts of the winter's
cold."
In it's December 1997 report on
World Heritage, UNESCO reviewed, "Ghadames, "the pearl of
the desert", as one of the oldest pre-Saharan cities and
an outstanding example of a traditional settlement. Its
architecture is characterized by the different functions
assigned to each story - the ground floor used to store
supplies, another floor extending over dark enclosed
passages forming a system of passageways, and the
open-air terraces reserved for women." Ghadames has also
been a serious study by the Aga Khan Architecture
Award.
The eastern part of Libya, from
the resort city of Banghazi to the Egyptian border,
continues to offer internationally acclaimed
archaeological sites at places like the Spartan city of
Tokra (Teuchira), the mosaic center of Gaser Libya,
Cyrene of Pentapolis (houses the famous and majestic
Temples of Zeus and Apollo), the port of Sousa at
Apolloinia, the city of Tulmaytha (Ptolemais) famous
World War II site of Tobruk, and a lot more.
With so many archaeological sites
including some UNESCO declared World Heritage Sites,
Libya also claims the 8th wonder of modern world! This,
though not yet recognized, is an interesting massive
attempt at getting water to the desert people called the
Great Man-made River Project. Based on research that
there is considerable groundwater in the aquifers of
Kufra, Sirir, Wadiel-Shatii and the Haswana Mountains
&endash; estimated to equal over 200 years of discharge
from the Nile River.
Probably the world's largest
irrigation system, it has so far involved 2 million cubic
meters of water being transferred to the cities of
Benghazi and Sirt in huge pipelines, 7.5m long, 4m in
diameter and 7.3 tons in weight. The project, initiated
in 1991, uses carbon steeled pipes wrapped with 18m long
wires, and with a quarter million pipes expected to be
used, it will mean that the wires used will be more than
the length needed to go around the earth 130 times over.
Definitely, a novel project and the pride of all Libyans,
but one that has received no international coverage, but
in any case for what difference it is making to the
desert people, should qualify as the 8th
wonder.
With all this adds the very
hospitable Berbers of Libya. The make the best attraction
to the tourist. Unlike some of the Islamic countries,
Libya is very relaxed in terms of dressing code for
women, alcohol consumption, movement of tourists within
the country, etc. The sense of security is of acceptable
standards, accommodation in major cities like Tripoli and
Benghazi is of high quality, with smaller places,
including Ghadammes, having limited and an average
quality of accommodation. Food is plenty with lots of
salads and vegetables and of course meat and poultry. The
best time of the year to visit is the spring and
fall.
With Egypt, Tunisia and Morocco
having already been popular tourist destinations for
long, Libya is the latest find in North Africa.
Information on tours to Libya is still difficult to
obtain.
The only tour operator in North
America offering tours to Libya is Western Canada, based
Bestway Tours & Safaris
1 800 663 0844
http://www.bestway.com
Some European operators also offer
tours to Libya, but Libya is still a destination for one
who would is interested in archaeology, history, culture
and above all new destinations. There are also sites in
the Internet that offer information and photographs of
different places in Libya.
Additional
information:
Climate:
Due to the lack of natural
barriers, the climate of Libya is greatly influenced by
the desert to the south and the Mediterranean Sea to the
north.
In winter, the northern areas and
the mountain peaks to the south can be fairly cold.
During summer, it is general hot which can be as much as
27 &endash; 31C at areas like Jefra Plains and even
higher in the desert. The coastal areas are pleasant at
25C. Rainfall is erratic with average drops of between 40
&endash; 50cm. in the coastline
