Saddam Haftar Visits Bir Al-Ashhab, Says Area Will Be Prioritized in Reconstruction and Development Plans
Libya – Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Saddam Haftar, visited the Bir Al-Ashhab area, where he was received by local sheikhs, notables, and residents.
Greetings from the General Command and Praise for the Area’s History
During the visit, Saddam Haftar conveyed the greetings of the Commander-in-Chief of the Libyan Armed Forces, Field Marshal Khalifa Abu Al-Qasim Haftar, to the residents of Bir Al-Ashhab and neighboring municipalities.
He expressed his pride in the history of the area and all its social components, foremost among them the Al-Manfa tribe, and the sacrifices it made, embodied by the legacy of the national resistance leader Omar Al-Mukhtar.
Service Projects as Part of Reconstruction Programs
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief said the visit came in implementation of the Commander-in-Chief’s directives to place the area among the priorities of reconstruction and development programs, through the launch of an integrated package of service projects.
He explained that these projects include the development of infrastructure, including roads, water networks, and electricity, as well as strengthening the health sector with modern facilities, upgrading educational institutions, and supporting development projects that contribute to improving living standards and creating job opportunities.
Honored with the Rifle of the Mujahideen
During the visit, the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces was honored by the sheikhs and notables of Bir Al-Ashhab, who presented him with the “Rifle of the Mujahideen,” dating back to the period of the national jihad, in appreciation of his role, national positions, and efforts to support stability across Libya’s cities and regions.
Saddam Haftar’s Address to the People of Bir Al-Ashhab
In a speech before the people of the area, Saddam Haftar expressed his happiness at being among them, extending his thanks and appreciation for the generosity, hospitality, and warm welcome he received. He said this was not surprising from an authentic area known throughout its history for giving and loyalty.
He said Bir Al-Ashhab is not merely a geographical area, but a bright page in the nation’s history, noting that it was one of the centers of the Senussi movement, which led national awareness, ignited the spirit of jihad against Italian colonialism, and stood firm in defense of identity, religion, and sovereignty.
He added that this land produced men who remained true to their pledge to God, stood at the forefront of the mujahideen, and contributed to shaping a history in which all Libyans take pride, foremost among them the martyr leader Omar Al-Mukhtar.
Legacy of the Past and Role of the Present
Saddam Haftar affirmed that the contribution of the people of Bir Al-Ashhab did not stop with the pages of the past, but was renewed in the present, when their sons played an honorable role in the Battle of Dignity, standing firm and making sacrifices in defense of Libya, its territorial unity, and the dignity of its people.
He said this legacy is not only a source of pride, but also a responsibility borne by everyone, stressing that it is their duty to build a state worthy of these sacrifices: a state strong in its institutions, fair in its decisions, close to its citizens, and neither absent from them nor late in serving them.
Work on the Ground and Improving Services
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief stressed that the current stage requires clarity and courage, with no room for empty slogans or postponed promises.
He affirmed that work would take place on the ground and that its results would be tangible, adding that they would continue improving the level of services, strengthening security, supporting stability, and opening prospects for development in a way that directly reflects on citizens’ lives.
Call for Unity and Prioritizing the National Interest
Saddam Haftar stated that the state cannot be built through the efforts of one party alone, stressing that responsibility is shared in preserving unity, prioritizing the national interest, and staying away from division and disputes.
He said Libya is greater than everyone and deserves its people to stand united.
Genuine Partnerships and Ongoing Responsibility
The Deputy Commander-in-Chief affirmed that his hand is extended to every sincere person who wants what is good for the country, in order to build genuine partnerships at home and abroad, restore Libya’s standing, and open the doors of the future before it.
He concluded his speech by stressing that they stand with the people of Bir Al-Ashhab, from them and by them they move forward, and that they will not be distant from them or abandon their responsibilities toward them. He emphasized that work would continue and that they would hold themselves accountable before being held accountable by the people, because this trust is greater than any position and heavier than any responsibility.
