By IANS,
New Delhi : Libya wants India to play an active role in its reconstruction and rehabilitation programme after its infrastructure was badly damaged in the recent civil war.
Libyan Ambassador to India, Dr Ali Isawi, said this at a reception here Thursday evening on the occasion of Libyan Independence Day. Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed was the chief guest.
Libya needs massive investment for development of infrastructure and in other sectors. Its infrastructure was badly damaged in a prolonged civil war launched by the popular forces – backed by Western powers – against ruling dictator, Col Moammar Gaddafi, who was later killed.
In this process there was massive damage to schools, hospitals, government buildings and airports.
India can help Libya in renewed development of its infrastructure, the ambassador said, reminding how in the 1980s scores of Indian companies were engaged in massive developmental projects in his country. An air embargo that was imposed on Libya by Western powers made many companies withdraw from the North African nation.
The envoy had created a stir two years ago when he resigned in protest against the violent crackdown on demonstrators in his country by the Gaddafi regime and had subsequently joined the revolution against his dictatorship. .
Ambassadors and diplomats of Arab as well as other countries participated in the reception, besides the Shahi Imam of Jama Masjid , Syed Ahmed Bukhari.