Libya

Eco-friendly travel guide to Libya advises how to be a responsible tourist. Learn how to travel in a sustainable way and how to respect the local people and culture. Make your trip green by supporting locally owned hotels, organic restaurants and other businesses. Read more on how to protect the environment by making conscientious choices and how to travel green in Libya, Africa.

eaving traces on soft sand dunes in Tadrart Acacus a desert area in western Libya, part of the Sahara.

Air quality: 3.1 / 5

Bus connections: 3.3 / 5

Train connections: 0.0 / 5

Hitchhiking: 3.0 / 5

National parks: 3.9 / 5

Outdoor activities: 3.3 / 5

Locals' English level: 4.1 / 5

Safety: 2.9 / 5

Accommodation: US$33 - $147

Budget per day: US$46 - $183

Responsible Travel

Traveling responsibly while in Libya greatly boosts the country’s progress in achieving sustainable growth and development. Some of the ways in which we can travel responsibly while in Libya includes using water responsibly. Libya has part of the Sahara Desert within her borders thus water remains to be a very crucial resource in the country. We are advised not to waste water while we visit Libya instead we need to embrace practices that preserve it such as closing the tap water once we are done using it and taking showers instead of baths. Another way of traveling responsibly while in Libya is by disposing of waste appropriately. Waste has continuously been a problem here in Libya and we would be doing a great favor to ourselves and also the environment here by disposing of the waste in designated areas. This will reduce illegal accumulation of wastes in the country. Other ways in which we can travel responsibly while in Libya include:

Using public transport more often

Residing in eco-friendly residences

Contributing to the local economy

Supporting organizations and Institutions that aim to improve the living standards of locals here in Libya

Air Quality and Pollution

The air quality in Libya has continued to improve over the years. Foul smell from illegal accumulation of waste and even industrial waste has been the greatest threat to air quality in Libya. In terms of pollution, waster sources in the country have been the most affected by pollutants such as sewage, industrial waste, and even oil products that find their way into these water sources.

Respect the Culture

The literature in Libya has always been influenced by various aspects. During the latter half of the 19th century, Al-Nahda had not had a great influence in Libya as it had in other Arabic nations. During this time, Libya had formed its literary forms, which mostly focused on oral poetry. It was used to reiterate the feeling of suffering and despair that ensued during the colonial period by the Italians. The local literature here began to grow during the 1960s with writings of some of the most prolific writers gaining prominence. These writers were Khalifa al-Fakhri, Sadeq al-Neihum, Ali al-Regeie, Muhammad al-Shaltami, and Khamel al-Maghur. During this period, most of the local writers centered on socialism and nationalism aspects. In the 1970s, the national government at this time under Muammar al-Gaddafi built one publishing center and all writers who were hired here were forced to write in support of the government. For the writers who refused to oblige with this rule, they were imprisoned, deported to other countries, and even denied the freedom to write anymore. After the Gaddafi government was finally overthrown, literature in Libya took a turn for the better. The new constitution offered writers more freedom in their writing careers. Other writers who are believed to have contributed to the literature in Libya include Ahmad Al-Faqih, Sadeq al-Neihum, and Ibrahim Al-Kouni. The mode of dressing in Libya has been heavily influenced by modern cultures as many women do not wear the traditional dresses they used to wear in the past. The mode of dressing here in Libya has been influenced mostly by western countries. The women here will always dress very decently and will always wear hijabs. Traditional dresses are mostly worn during special occasions including Eid, weddings, and even during Friday prayers. For men, their clothes usually consist of 'Jalabiya'or 'Qamis', which is a long white shirt, 'Sadriya', which is a vest, and 'Sirwal', which is a long pair of trousers. Some even put on headdresses known as 'Shashiyah' which are either red or black. Men will also put on a white cap under the headdress while they are indoors. They will also wear leather boots, leather sandals, or slippers women on the other hand usually wear a blouse that is embroidered with beads and silver/gold thread and have baggy sleeves. In terms of trousers, they usually dawn silky trousers that have elastic bottoms. They usually wear brightly colored togas and also headdresses that are fashioned with pom-poms. They usually wear gold jewelry. They will always dawn on this complete attire during special ceremonies such as weddings. In terms of music, many locals usually listen to Arab music such as Andalusi music, commonly referred to as Ma'luf or Chabi. Folk music is also being embraced by the Tuareg community in the north of the country. Very little pop culture is being practiced in the country. Women are also allowed to practice music here in Libya. Some of the most popular musical instruments here in the country include flutes, drums, tambourines, zokra (a bagpipe), oud (a fretless lute), and anzad (a type of violin). Some of the most re-known musicians in the country include Mohammed Hassan and Ahmed Fakroun. Clapping is also very common in Libyan culture.

Top 10 Places to Visit

The Grand Erg Oriental When translated to English it means, Great Eastern Sand Sea. It is a large field of sand dunes located in the Libya. It is situated in the Sahara Desert in the country. It occupies an area measuring 600 kilometers in length and 200 kilometers in width. The northeastern edge of this erg extends into Tunisia. It usually receives very little rainfall and used to be linked with the Wadi Igharghar, a dry buried river with several tributaries where water sometimes flows in them north into the erg.

The Nafusa Mountains: This mountain range is located in the north-western area of Libya. It encompasses the area around the escarpment where the Mediterranean coastal plain meets with the Tripolitanian Plateau. It is the boundary line between the Jafara located in the north and the Tripolitanian Plateau located in the south. The Tripolitanian Plateau strata sloping downwards towards the south and rising towards the northern end forms the highest peak of the plateau where the Nafusa mountains rise to a heigh of 750 meters.

The Port of Tripoli: This port is the main port in Tripoli. It is believed to be among the oldest ports here in the Mediterranean region. Both passenger and cargo ships usually dock here.it was initially known as Oea port before its name was later changed to Tripoli port. It was commissioned in the late 1920s by Italian colonialists. It was later expanded to a more modern port in the 1930s. A sea plane facility was also added at this port. This port got massively destroyed during the World War II and was later repaired.

The Jebel Akhdar: It is a fertile and heavily forested highland situated in the north eastern part of Libya. It is situated between the districts of Jabal al Akhdar, Derna, and Marj. It comprises of a mountainous plateau which rises to a height of 900 meters and is divided by a number of valleys. It rises from Benghazi and runs along the coast for approximately 330 kilometers. Erosion and deposition have resulted with the plateau being 16 kilometers from the shore. It usually forms cliffs on the headlands.

Gaberoun: This oasis is located in the Idehan Ubari desert region in the Sahara region of Libya. There is a large lake within this oasis. Administratively, it is located in the Sabha and Wadi al Hayaa districts in the country. There is a tourist camp located in the northeastern area which is equipped with a patio, a souvenir shop, and several sleeping huts. The lake here is very salty but swimming is very possible here despite the crustaceans found here. Mosquitoes breed here in their numbers especially during the summer. From October to May are believed to be the best months to visit Gaberoun when the climate is milder. Many years ago, a small community was living at the north-western shore of the lake here where the ruins of their settlements now stand. This community was later moved during the 1980s, away from the sand dunes. Their new settlements were concrete apartments unlike their previous one, the old Bedouin settlement, which now lie in ruins.

Mount Uwaynat: This mountain range is located where the borders of Libya, Egypt, and Sudan meet. This area is famous for the ancient petroglyphs that were found by Ahmed Pasha Hassanein, an Egyptian explorer. He was the one who discovered Uweinat. In 1923, he embarked on a 40-kilometer journey on the mountain range but did not complete his journey. In the sandstone here, you will be able to find petroglyphs made in bushmen fashion representing lions, ostriches, giraffes, cows, gazelles, and even small human figures.

The Martyrs' Square: It is also called the Green Square and the Independence Square during Gaddafi’s reign. During the colonial period, it was referred to as Piazza Italia, to mean "Italy Square". The economic hub of this city surrounds this square. The big fountain located at its center was designed by an Italian architect. It is the meeting point of many avenues and streets in the city which are Independence Street, Mizran Street, Omar Mukhtar Avenue, and 24 December Avenue.

Waw an Namus: This is a volcano located in Libya. The volcanic activity that took place here has not yet been depicted. The figure arrived at by Radiometric dating is 200,000 years but surrounding evidences suggest it might have happened during the Holocene period. The caldera here is surrounded by dark tephra containing a clear color contrast of the desert terrain of the Sahara. It has a scoria cone. There are a number of small lakes and plants found within the caldera.

Gasr Al-Hājj: This granary is located in Tripoli, the capital city of Libya. It usually takes a circular shape and was constructed during the 13th century by Abdallah Abu Jatla. It was established to serve as a granary for the families in the surrounding areas where they would give aa quarter of their crops to the owner as a form of payment. It initially had 114 slots believed to have been the exact number of the families that lived here during its construction. 114 is also a very crucial number in the Islamic religion as it is used to represent the number of Sura in the Qur'an. Inheritance disputes led to the splitting of various chambers here in the granary resulting in the number of chambers increasing by five.

Benghazi Cathedral: It is located in Benghazi city, Libya. It was a Roman Catholic Parish. Construction of this church is believed to have taken place between 1929 and 1939 where the land on which it exists was initially inhabited by the Arabs. After King Idris ascended into power in 1951, this church was neglected since no maintenance was done here. Muamar Ghaddafi later ascended into power and his administration opposed Christianity. He then made plans to convert it into a mosque but the Imams realized that its position would prevent them from facing Mecca. It was then converted into the headquarters for the Arab Socialist Union. It was designed by Cabiati Ferrazza and Guido Ottavo, both being Italian architects. Its architecture resembles that of a basilica with the entrance having six Doric columns and a portico. Lighting is provided by several oculi.

The Grand Erg Oriental

Explore

Libya is one of the countries that make up the North Africa region. There are many attraction sites here where you can make memories of your stay here in Libya. They include the Nafusa Mountains. Gaberoun, and Waw an Namus. You can also visit the Saraya Museum where you can learn about the history of Libya.

City Parks

Bab al-Azizia: Also known as "The Splendid Gate", this park was initially a military barracks. It is located towards the south of the capital, Tripoli. It was the principal military base for the Muammar Gaddafi until anti-Gaddafi forces finally captured it on 23rd of August, 2011 during the civil war in the capital. This park covers a total area of 6 kilometers squared. It is strategically located to facilitate access to government establishments in the city and also facilitate direct high-speed road access to Tripoli International Airport. A section of this base was destroyed during the war. The government plans to completely demolish it and turn it into an official city park.

National Parks

Algharabolli National Park: It is also known as the Karabolli National Park. It is situated adjacent to the Al-Garabulli in Tripoli. It was commissioned in 1992 and occupies a total of 8,000 hectares of land here in the capital. Several freshwater rivers are found here including coastal areas on the Mediterranean Sea. It has amazing beaches cliffs, and sand dunes. It also has a bird sanctuary which has more than 1,000 bird species. Hyenas and seals can also be found at this national park

Beaches

Libya has a coastline along the Mediterranean Sea with these coastlines having several beaches such as:

Zuwara

Athrun

Castelverde

Bardiyah

Athrun

Landmarks

Tripoli Tower: Initially it was called the Al Fateh Tower. This skyscraper is located in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. It was commissioned to the public in 2003. Various retail stores and apartments have set up shop here in this tower. There is also a boutique hotel and a club here. At the basement, there are four levels for parking.

Tripoli Tower

Museums

Saraya Museum: It is the national museum in the country. It is situated in the Red Castle building which is one of the ancient buildings in the country. It was commissioned in 1919 during the colonial period. The museum preserves and displays various archeological artifacts that were collected by the Italians during the colonial period. This museum is surrounded with a big square which is believed to have been designed by Florestano Di Fausto, an Italian architect. It was commissioned to the public in 1988 and was renamed the Assaraya Alhamra MuseumRed Castle Museum. It is fitted with up-to-date facilities including a wheelchair ramp at the entrance. It is usually open for 24 hours.

The Karamanly House Museum. It is also referred to as the Qaramanli House Museum, the House of Karamanly and the Tripoli Historical Exhibition. This ancient house and museum are located in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. It is greatly linked with the Karamanli dynasty. It was constructed during the latter half of the 18th century. It was later renovated during the 1990s.

Saraya Museum

Eat

Mat'am al-Saraya. This restaurant is located in the CBD of Tripoli. You will be able to eat local cuisines here. The most interesting thing about this restaurant is that you will get a chance to smoke shisha here. Seating arrangement here is both suited for those who prefer to eat as individuals and those who enjoy eating in groups. It is usually open all through the week from 10 am to 11 pm.

Libya also has an assortment of street food that is beloved by most locals. They include:

Asida: It is among the traditional foods from Libya. Its preparation process usually involves cooking dough comprising of wheat flour and honey then adding butter to this mixture. It is usually served with sheep ghee or date syrup. You can enjoy eating this delicacy in a traditional manner by using the index and the middle fingers of your right hand.

Couscous: It is one of the most popular cuisines as it is the staple food of the country. Locals here in the capital usually refer to it as a Maghrebi dish. It is usually prepared using semolina. The process to prepare it involves steaming of small balls of durum that is crushed. It is then served with stew.

Ghoriba (cookie): The locals also refer to these cookies as Ghyrauba. It usually takes the shape of a small ball. The ingredients for preparing it are wheat flour, sugar, butter, and almonds. Some even usually prepare these cookies with pistachios, walnuts, and peanuts. These cookies are usually served with Maghrebi mint tea or Arabic coffee.

Drink

Tripoli, Libya, Friday Market. This bar is located along Swalim Road in Tripoli, Libya. Other bars located in Libya are Slush and David's Café.

Tap-water

Faucet water here in Libya is of poor quality thus you are advised not to drink it despite assurance by the locals here. It is believed that all the tap water here in Libya is contaminated. It is not that the aquifers are depleting, rather, seawater has found its way into these aquifers thus, polluting them. This has been caused by heavy extraction of the fresh water from these aquifers. Also, it is believed that the agricultural practices in the country have contributed to the pollution of these aquifers.

Activities

Libya is one of the countries that make up the North Africa region. There are many attraction sites here where you can make memories of your stay here in Libya. They include the Nafusa Mountains. Gaberoun, and Waw an Namus. You can also visit the Saraya Museum where you can learn about the history of Libya.

Accommodation

El Khan: This property is located along Arbaa Arsat Street in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. It comprises a total of fifteen rooms which are furnished in Arabic style. The staff here is very welcoming and very helpful to clients. Amenities that you will get to enjoy here include an outdoor pool, laundry services, ironing services, and free Wi-Fi throughout the complex. Guests will also get to enjoy a complimentary breakfast every morning. There are a bar and a restaurant on-site with 24-hour reception services being a plus.

Bustan Urban Retreat: It is located in Tripoli, Libya. This property constitutes 17 VIP rooms and 28 standard deluxe rooms. The rooms are fitted with plasma television. This property has a game room, a spa, a gym, and an outdoor pool. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the entire complex. There are a bar and restaurant on-site. Ample parking is also available here.

Green Hotels

Radisson Blu Al Mahary Hotel: This hotel is located along Al Fatah Street in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. At this hotel, you will be able to enjoy scenic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Amenities that you will get to enjoy here include an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, and free Wi-Fi throughout the entire complex. Guests here will get to enjoy a complimentary breakfast every morning. The check-in time at this hotel is usually 2 pm while the check-out time is at noon. You can get in touch with the management here using this number, +218213407878. Points of interest close to this hotel include the Red Castle Museum and the Martyrs' Square, both which are located 2 kilometers from this property.

Hostels and Guest Houses

Seed Guest House: Amenities that guests will get to enjoy here include free Wi-Fi throughout the complex and ample parking on-site. This guest house is located several minutes from the ancient Citadel of Raymond de Saint-Gilles and the 14th-century Mansouri Great Mosque. The management here offers airport shuttle services. The check-in time at this guest house is usually 3 pm while the check-out time is usually 9 am. The most popular point of interest from this guest house is the Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, which is located 87 kilometers from this property.

Apartments

Tripoli Apartments: These apartments are usually furnished and are available for rent for either short-term or long-term stay. They are conveniently located and cleanliness here is usually given a priority. The staff here is amazing and security at these apartments is usually at top notch.

Couchsurfing

Many of the locals here in Libya have taken it upon themselves to try and restore peace and normalcy in the country by accepting to host visitors who visit the country. There are many potential hosts who have enrolled to the couch surfing website in Libya where they can legally link with potential visitors. This provides a good opportunity to learn the local culture and even exchange ideas.

Camping

There are several campsites here in Libya which include:

Fezzan Campsite

Tkerkiba Campsite

Tiwiwa

Alfaw Camp

Anay Camping

Adad or Acacus Camp

Regions

Map of Libya with regions colour-coded

Cyrenaica (Benghazi, Shahhat, Tobruk)
the north eastern region on the Mediterranean Sea

Saharan Libya (Gaberoun, Ghadamis, Sabha, Ghat)
huge southern desert region with amazing scenery and some of the hottest temperatures recorded anywhere in the world

Tripolitania (Tripoli, Gharyan, Misratah, Surt ,Zuwara)
the north western region on the Mediterranean Sea with the capital city and ancient Roman ruins

Cities

Tripoli: It is the capital city and the largest city in Libya. It is located on the north western area of the country on the edge of the Sahara Desert. It is situated close to the Mediterranean Sea thus is home to the port of Tripoli. Here, you will also find the largest manufacturing center in the country. You will also find the University of Tripoli within the city. One of the most notable attractions here are the Bab al-Azizia barracks where the late Muammar Gaddafi ruled the country from. Tripoli is believed to have been founded in the 7th century BC.

Tripoli

Benghazi: It is the second-most populous city in Libya and is situated on the Gulf of Sidra. It is also a major seaport. In February 2011, a revolt against Muammar Gaddafi’s administration began in the city. It spread to neighboring Tobruk, Al Marj, Bayda, Zawiya, Zintan, and Ajdabya. On 21 February of the same year, anti-Gaddafi forces took over the city and established the National Transitional Council. The Libyan army tried to recapture the city a month later but were deterred by local resistance and the French Air Force.

Benghazi

Misrata: This city is located in the Misrata District in the north western area of the country. It is located approximately 187 kilometers from Tripoli and 825 kilometers from the city of Benghazi. It is the third-largest city in Libya. It is the official headquarters of the Misrata District. It has often been referred to as the trade capital of Libya.

Gharyan

The breath-taking views from Gharyan

Ghadamis

Ghadamis

Misratah

Misratah

Sabha

Shahhat— Ancient city of Cyrene, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is nearby.

Surt

Tobruk

Tobruk Port

Zuwara

Zuwara

Getting There and Moving Around

Libya is one of the countries located in North Africa region. The main modes of transport which you can use to access Libya is by Air, by road, and by sea only.

By air: You can access Libya by air through the Tripoli International Airport which is the main international airport in the country. It is located in the country’s capital, Tripoli.

By road: You can travel to Libya either in a bus, a personal car, or a shared taxi. Libya is usually connected to neighboring cities of Alexandria, Djerba, Tunis, and Cairo by road. It is also possible to travel to Libya in a 4x4 or even using a dirt bike. It is possible to travel to Libya by bus from neighboring Egypt and Tunisia. There are several border points one can use when traveling with a personal car to Libya. Some of these border points are Bay of As Sallum which you will use when coming from Egypt and Ras Jdayr when coming from Tunisia. You will be required to purchase a temporary license together with a number plate for €300.

By sea: You can access Tripoli, the capital city of Libya, through its port from Tunisia and even Malta.

When moving around the country, planes were among the most preferred option here in the country before the civil war broke out in the country. Flights from the Libyan Airlines, Buraq Airlines, and Libyan Wings, a private company, were operating in the country before the civil war broke out in 2011.

Air

Tripoli International Airport: It is the largest airport in Libya and is located in the southern area of Tripoli. It was a hub for Libyan Airlines, Afriqiyah Airways, and Buraq Air before it was closed in 2011 due to the civil war that was rocking the country.

The Mitiga International Airport: It is situated approximately 8 kilometers to the east of Tripoli, the capital city of Libya. Before June 1970, this airport was used by the United States Air Force. It was being known as the Wheelus Air Base. Its name was later changed to Okba Ben Nafi Air Base dedicated to the Libyan People's Air Force (LPAF). It is the only civilian airport operating in Tripoli at the moment.

The Benina International Airport: This airport is situated in Benina town, close to the city of Benghazi. There are usually seasonal flights operating between Benghazi and Alexandria and Cairo in Egypt and even London in the UK.

Other airports operating in the country are:

Bayda, La Abraq Airport

Benghazi, Benina International Airport

Ghadames, Ghadames Airport

Ghat, Ghat Airport

Kufra, Kufra Airport

Misrata, Misrata Airport

Sabha, Sabha Airport

Sirte, Gardabya Airport

Tobruk, Tobruk Airport

Tripoli, Mitiga International Airport

Tripoli. Tripoli International Airport

Ubari, Ubari Airport

Bus

There are several buses which operate within Libya. They usually operate between popular destinations by plying safer routes in the country. There are also bus companies that connect Libya to neighboring Egypt and Tunisia.

Train

At the moment, there exists no railway line in Libya as the railway lines were uprooted y fighters several years ago. The government is putting in measures to build new railway lines in the country believed to be covering up to 3,300 kilometers.

Hitchhiking

This practice has continued to grow here in Libya with not only motorist offering travelers a ride, but even camels. You may get that golden opportunity to hitch a ride from a camel rider where you will be able to ride a camel to your destination, especially across the desert.

Others

Libya can be accessible by sea through the port of Tripoli located in the capital. Ferries usually offer transportation services form Tripoli to neighboring Tunis and even Malta.

Sustainable Shopping

Fashion for women clothes in Libya has always been embracing new designs with the current goal in mind being to achieve zero waste fashion. All clothes usually have a life cycle upon which after its completion, the clothes are discarded. Many do not put great concern on where these clothes end up after they are dumped. Most of the fabrics used in designing these clothes are always non-biodegradable thus dumped clothes usually end up polluting the environment. Several female designers here in Libya have decided to introduce environmentally friendly designs into the designing industry in the country. Many locals and other designers in the county are starting to embrace these new designs which will go away in ensuring that even after its lifecycle the clothes can still be recycled and its materials used to make new clothes.

Recycling

BioKube. This recycling plant is located in Libya. It usually treats wastewater to levels that are nationally accepted. The wastewater treated here can be used for irrigation with the sludge that is collected here being used for the production of energy.

WEDA: It is located in Libya. Its primary focus is on cleaning of underwater found in the various aquifers here in the country. They achieve this by using fully automatic and semi-automatic robots. Several stakeholders including the water and sewage company and several industries in the country are involved in this project.

Taj Libya Company (TLC): It is a waste management company located in Libya. Several stakeholders were brought in to manage waste that was being generated in the country.

Waste

Waste in Libya poses a huge threat of water pollution in the country. These wastes include sewage, industrial wastes, and even oil byproducts. The cities here in Libya are believed to be producing a total of 0.6 million tons of waste annually.

Work and Study Abroad

The civil war that hit Libya from 2011 greatly derailed business growth and expansion in the country. The government has been making steady progress to return the country to normalcy to restore the business venture on course. Several investors are beginning to come into the country to fulfill this dream the United Nations has also set up various offices in the country to facilitate its operations in the country and the region at large. Some of the UN entities found here in Libya are:

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

World Food Programme (WFP)

International Organization for Migrations (IOM)

International Labor Organization (ILO)

United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)

World Health Organization (WHO)

United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS)

United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

United Nations Human Settlement Programme (UNHABITAT)

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

Exchange Student

The civil wars in Libya have destabilized the normal functioning of most of the important sectors in the country. The country has been putting in efforts to restore the normal functioning of all these sectors including the education sector. The main tertiary institution found here in Libya is the University of Tripoli, which is located in the capital. The government has been deploying security personnel in their numbers with other countries such as Turkey deploying soldiers here to maintain law and order, especially in Tripoli. Nothing has been taken to chance concerning the safety of learners here in the capital as security has been tripled in institutions of higher learning to ensure that students here will have smooth learning sessions. Tripoli has stayed a long time without reporting any incidences of terrorism. This is a good sign as learners will now feel safe to return back to school. International students are also beginning to come into the country to enroll in some of the esteemed universities here which include:

The University of Tripoli (UOT): It is located in Tripoli, the capital of Libya. It is the largest university in the country. It was established in 1957 as an affiliate of the University of Libya but later pulled out and became a university of itself in 1973.

Au Pair

Libya is a country that has a lot of potential to grow and become one of the most developed countries in Africa but the only thing dragging this dream down the drain is the civil wars ravaging the country. Many locals are seeking jobs with majority of them seeking domestic jobs in neighboring European nations. Many job seekers have enrolled in various websites offering AU pair services to try and link with potential employers in these countries without breaking the law.

Volunteering

Libya has always experienced several waves of civil wars. When Muammar al-Gaddafi was in power, armed forces that were loyal to him clashed severally with forces who were against him and these battles usually left devastating results behind. Even after he was finally killed, the soldiers of these two factions usually collide on several occasions. The government has been deploying soldiers to push the anti-Gaddafi forces, who are considered as rebel forces, outside the capital but it has not been easy. These soldiers have not given up as with the help of neighboring countries such as Egypt, which has also deployed its forces in Libya, the rebel attacks have substantially reduced. Those who plan to volunteer here are advised to be very vigilant and liase with the government in making arrangements on how the volunteering programs will be carried out and where they will be conducted. The government soldiers have been taking back the capital section by section from the rebel fighters thus it is best that you come and volunteer in areas which have already been recaptured by government troops.

Many sectors in the country have been heavily devastated by these civil wars including the health sector and the education sector. Volunteers who come to the country usually offer humanitarian aid to the locals who have fled the capital and sought refuge in schools and other institutions. Health status has seriously deteriorated in the country. Among the volunteer organization still working in Libya is the Red Crescent. They usually offer medical aid and for those who are planning to volunteer with this organization are required to acquire medical skills as special medical skills are needed the most here. For those who do not have this skill, they can come and offer humanitarian aid, together with counseling services as many of the locals here are still traumatized by the ongoing civil wars in the country.