Under the title "Egyptian Coalition Awaits the Zero Hour to Build a New Libya," Sky News Arabia reported that government sources in Egypt and Libya revealed that the authorities in Tripoli have committed to overcoming any obstacles that may arise in transferring Egypt's development experience to Libya. The informed sources on the negotiations regarding the "Reconstruction of Libya" file stated that advanced discussions are underway between the Libyan government and a coalition of Egyptian contracting companies to implement infrastructure projects similar to those carried out by the coalition in Egypt.
The sources explained in a statement to Sky News Arabia that the Libyan authorities pledged to the Egyptian government and representatives of the architectural coalition to intervene to resolve any issues that Egyptian companies may face during their work on the project named "New Libya." It was noted that the Libyan commitments included securing the Egyptian companies and protecting the rights of Egyptian workers involved in the reconstruction from any threats.
According to the sources, the Egyptian architectural coalition includes companies such as "Orascom Holding, Hassan Allam, and El Rowad for Engineering," along with a select group of top consultants in Egypt, including the "Shaker and Partners" office.
#### Roads and Bridges
Regarding the initial works of the Egyptian coalition in Libya, the sources stated that it would comprise "comprehensive infrastructure projects" including roads, bridges, and main axes within cities or connecting them to one another, based on the previous work of the executing companies in Egypt's national road project. The Egyptian coalition also promised the Libyan authorities to adhere to the swift execution of the works, following the timetables, and maintaining the required quality. The sources remarked, "Libyan officials confirmed their desire for Egyptian companies to start work today rather than tomorrow to build a new Libya."
#### Challenges of Reconstruction
Engineer General Mohamed Makhtar Kandil, an Egyptian urban development expert, stated in an interview with Sky News Arabia that "Reconstruction of Libya" is governed by several challenges, including security conditions and political stability. Kandil, who oversaw the development of the northwestern coastal area adjacent to the Libyan border, predicted that the focus in the initial phases would be on "urgent or high-priority projects."
The urban development expert pointed out that if "reconstruction" begins before the Libyan elections, efforts will concentrate in areas under the control of the Libyan National Army in eastern and southern Libya, with the bulk of the work to follow the elections and the full restoration of stability. Kandil emphasized the need to secure Egyptian workers from threats posed by the Brotherhood and ISIS, in addition to ensuring financial rights for companies and workers against any obstacles they may encounter.
He noted that Egyptian companies that have been operating in Libya for years possess considerable experience, adding that Egypt views the reconstruction of Libya as a necessary assistance to its brothers in achieving stability and development, unlike other countries that intervene in Libya for colonial purposes.
#### Zero Hour
Current discussions between the Libyan government and the Egyptian coalition revolve around the zero hour or the start date for the "New Libya" project. According to the sources, the Egyptian companies expressed reservations about the political conditions currently facing Libya ahead of the scheduled elections at the end of the year. The sources indicated that the Libyan side reassured the companies that the government still has the authority to undertake developmental actions and contract for project implementations, which was welcomed by the Egyptian companies, provided that financial allocations are secured to commence the assigned works, along with securing the operations and the Egyptian or Libyan workers involved in these projects.
The cooperation between the Libyan government and the Egyptian coalition includes training, integrating, and employing newly graduated Libyan university graduates in the projects to qualify a new pool of Libyan professionals. The sources indicate that the initial signing of partnership contracts between the "Egyptian Coalition" and the Libyan side will take place soon, in addition to finalizing further contracts and securing financial allocations to commence operations.
