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www.bernama.com Two years after the United Nations Security Council lifted its sanctions against Libya, significant changes have been seen in the country's sea-front capital city.
Along Gargaresh Street, for instance, many of the small shops that used to sell vegetables and sundries have been expanded to allow more things to be sold.
Some have been replaced by better-looking boutiques offering designer labels or quality furniture.
Foreigners living in the city are beginning to enjoy life as they can get almost everything they need. They no longer need to travel to close by Europe or the United States to buy quality, up-to-date items as these things can now be found in various new shops that have mushroomed around the city.
"Just name what you want, you can find the stuff here," said Anna, a 40-year-old woman of Maltese origin who was born and bred in Libya.
Today, people chatting via mobile phones or the Internet have become a norm. In fact, mobile phones have become important asset to people living in this city that many keep two to three handsets or mobile phones for themselves.
On the changing facade along the Gargaresh Street, where many expatriates and affluent Libyan families live, he said families could now enjoy dining outside the home.
"There're plenty of cafes and modern-looking restaurants”, he said.
Besides, driving along the street especially at night would be enjoyable as lights from the shops lining the street give an added beauty to the place.
Mahmood and Muhammad, two young Libyans selling coffee beans at one of the city's new departmental store "Al-Mahari", were happy with the changes occurring in the city.
"Shopping here (at the departmental store) is a craze now as people can get almost every basic necessity under one roof. Not only Libyans but many foreigners too," said Mahmood, who is in his late 20s and speaks fluent English.
On a slightly warmer temperature in winter recently, several workers were seen diligently carrying out landscaping work across the road in front of the Al-Kabir (The Grand) hotel here.
What used to be an empty space has now been turned into a beautiful park equipped with children's playground overlooking the Mediterranean sea.
Roads within and outside the city are being improved and the construction of more highways are also in the pipeline. For this, the Libyan government has engaged a consortium of Malaysian companies to undertake some of the road projects.
A number of Libyans approached during the launching of the road works along Garabouli and Ras Adjir, which borders Tunisia, early this month were hopeful that with better roads and communication, tourists who normally spend their holidays in Tunisia would come to Libya as well.
Former Malaysian Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who was in Libya to receive the International Gadaffi Award for Human Rights in November, launched the road project undertaken by the Malaysian companies.
At a dialogue with Libyan businessmen, Dr Mahathir said tourism was among the key areas that Malaysia could offer its expertise to Libya.
Among other things, a marina could be build so yachting enthusiasts could berth their yachts and enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean sea.
Many Libyans were happy to note that there had been an increase in tourist arrivals since the sanctions were lifted.
"We have had many tourists coming in by air of late. Our Tripoli airport, which had restarted its operation since 1999, had received a decent flow of tourists," said Ibrahim Aboufhiga, who had often travelled to Europe and Asia to source for items for his garment business.
"Hopefully if there are more tourism facilities in the future, our country could become an interesting new destination for tourists," he said. |
