United World: Could you perhaps tell us about the MTPA and its functions?

Eng. Benhamed: The Maritime Transport and Ports Administration is under the umbrella of the Secretary of General People's Committee for Transport. I would like to start by taking you back to a time before the 1969 Revolution. We had four commercial ports in Libya; including Zwara, Tripoli, Benghazi and Tobruk. Their capacity at the time did not exceed two million tones a year. After the Al-Fateh Revolution in 1969, the country started flourishing through investment in infrastructure, the harbor being one of them. Between the 1970s and 2004, we established almost 20 ports along the Libyan coast. Their existing capacity is 16 million tones; this could be raised to almost 24 million tones a year if we increased shipments. We have spent almost two billion dollars since the 1970s to invest in the harbor. Today, we are proud to have the most beautiful port infrastructure in North Africa. We have major international ports, responding to international standards, which include the ones in Tripoli, Misurata, Bennghazi, and El-Khoms. Another maor port is presently under construction in the Gulf of Sirte, which will run at a capacity of nine million tones per year. Due to its strategic geographical location, our ministry has the intention to make this port a transit point within Mediterranean networks. In the future we will be calling international marine lines to conduct joint feasibility studies for projects that are unfolding with the construction of this port. We have a plan running from 2006-2010, to modernize major and minor ports in Libya, so that they may meet international requirements. Libya has been a member of the International Marine Organization (IMO) since 1970 and it implements all the regulations. The Libyan congress recently approved a number of treaties and protocols with this organization.

United World: Libya is an oil-based economy, how do you help keep it going in the ports? Are you involved in oil transport?

Eng. Benhamed: Yes we are involved in oil transports. Some of our ports specialize in importing and exporting oil barrel. Others are commercial or industrial. Some have mixed activities.

United World: As far as future projects are concerned, are you looking at plans like establishing a free-trade zone?

Eng. Benhamed: Yes. Misurata port will be the first free-trade zone in the future. Then other major ports will follow. We are still in the consultancy process and all plans will be implemented starting next year.

United World: Safety is a major concern for investors. What can you tell our readers in that regard?

Eng. Benhamed: I would say that Libya's ports are very safe. We are member of the IMO and we abide by and implement the international standards in terms of safety and security in ports and for ships. An ISPS code was issued and enforced in July 2004. We submitted a report stating that Libya is applying the necessary measures outlined by the international organization. The IMO recently visited the country and inspected the major ports and granted us with certificates for training people in observation and supervision of the security in the ports and Libyan ships. We have been very successful so far.

United World: Libya is looking to diversify its economy, and one aspect of this is tourism. How will the Libyan ports be contributing to such plans?

Eng. Benhamed: Some of our ports were built to receive cruise liners; there is a marine station for cruise-liners in Tripoli, in Benghazi, El-Khoms and Dherna port, which is in the Green Mountain area rich in ancient Greek ruins. In the future, we will be calling on investors to invest in these ports because they are vital for tourism. Fifty-seven cruise are already scheduled for this year. Libya is a big country, there is so much to see and discover for tourists. The Maritime sector is also contributing to the development of Libya's private sector. In fact most of the handling activities in ports are taken care of by private companies. In the future, the private operators will handle all ship towing, cleaning, transportation etc.. This is thanks to the new laws that came into place to enhance Libya's private sector. Some of these companies will cooperate with international cruise-liners and foreign partners, for the handling goods or people. We are seriously looking for investment in the field of training, equipment and handling.

United World: What do you hope to achieve by the end of the five-year plan?

Eng. Benhamed: First and foremost, we would like to meet all the international standards in the field of marine transportation. We also want to serve the Libyan inhabitants by providing a service that will contribute to the revival of our economy and the sector. We want to become another source of income for the country. There is a lot of potential in this field due to our strategic geographic position.

United World: Libya is entering a new era. What would you say are its assets?

Eng. Benhamed: I think the most we can benefit from is to be in close contact with other countries and gain knowledge about theirs ways. This help improve our economies and implement new methods. We would like to see our country in a state where the economy is beneficial to the people and our relationship with the international community continues to progress.

United World: How would you like to see the relationship with the United States progress?

Eng. Benhamed: America has very strong economy. They also invest a lot in Research & Development and we would like to benefit from their knowledge. We are willing to negotiate with investors for the provision of technology, infrastructure and knowledge that will improve this sector as a whole.

United World: Tell us a little about yourself.

Eng. Benhamed: On December 13, 2005, I will have served 35years in this service. I've done my work for my country. I love Libya. I was educated in the UK, at the University of Birmingham in the 1970s. During my time there, I used to fly back to Libya twice a year because I could not stand being away for so long. My ambition is to be able to look at the time I spent in the Maritime Authority and to see I did something worthwhile for my country.

United World: Thank you very much for your comments.