A newly reconstructed international stadium has opened in Libya’s second-largest city Benghazi.
Benghazi International Stadium was inaugurated with a high-profile ceremony featuring global football legends and presided over by Libyan politician Khalifa Haftar.
Barron’s said the event featured appearances by former football stars including England’s Ballon d’Or-winning Michael Owen, Brazilians Roberto Carlos and Julio Cesar, and Portugal’s Luis Figo and Nani.
The venue complies with the latest international standards set by FIFA and it has a capacity of approximately 42,000 spectators, up from 28,000 seats previously.
The facility now includes nine main entrances, 24 emergency exits, a parking area for 1,500 vehicles, and other various essential amenities.
It has special stands for VIP guests and diplomats, offering 1,266 seats equipped with smart screens.
The revamped stadium has professional television broadcasting rooms, a VAR room, two large rooftop screens, and a high-quality sound system.
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) officially approved the venue just a day before its inauguration, allowing it to host international matches once again.
Haftar said, “The Benghazi international stadium belongs to all Libyans. It is a place of unity as Libya remains a single nation despite the challenges and difficulties.”
The oil-rich country is still grappling with the aftermath of the armed conflict and political chaos that followed the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah congratulated “Benghazi residents” on the stadium’s reopening in a statement posted on social media.
“Any addition to the country’s sports infrastructure serves Libyan interests,” he wrote.
For many football-loving Libyans, it also signalled a step towards normality in a city that has endured years of conflict.
Last March, under Dbeibah’s administration, Tripoli International Stadium was also reopened following two years of renovations to meet international standards.
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