Eastern Libyan government allocates 1.3 bln USD to stabilize Benghazi

TRIPOLI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Libya's eastern-based government on Sunday announced allocating 1.767 billion dinars (1.3 billion U.S. dollars) to stabilize the eastern City of Benghazi that is largely destroyed by years of armed conflict.

"The Committee for restoring stability to the City of Benghazi, headed by (Prime Minister) Abdullah al-Thani, has increased the amount allocated for projects (in the City) to 1.767 billion dinars in this year," the government said in a statement.

The Committee stressed the need for immediate launch of all service projects in the City.

Benghazi, the second largest City of Libya and birthplace of the 2011 uprising that toppled former leader Muammar Gaddafi, witnessed a fierce war between the eastern-based army led by Khalifa Haftar and extremist groups.

In June 2017, Haftar announced the takeover of Benghazi and defeat of the rival armed groups in the City.

Libya is politically divided between an eastern and western governments, despite signing a UN-sponsored political agreement later in 2015.