Libya’s Ministry of Tourism and Traditional Industries has announced the inclusion of the archaeological village of Tunine, located in the historic city of Ghadames, in the Register of Architectural and Urban Heritage in Arab Countries.
The announcement came during the ministry’s participation in the 10th meeting of the Arab Heritage Observatory, held in Beirut, Lebanon. Representing Libya was ministry advisor Soumaya Al-Amin Othman, who presented a detailed portfolio of Libyan heritage sites and proposed their registration with the Arab League’s cultural body, ALECSO.
The session was opened by former UN envoy to Libya and Lebanese Minister of Culture Ghassan Salamé, alongside ALECSO Director-General Mohamed Weld, both of whom emphasized the central role of architectural heritage in shaping Arab cultural identity and fostering regional cooperation.
Tunine’s registration was the result of a coordinated national effort led by Minister Nasreddine Milad Al-Fazzani, with Othman tasked with preparing the technical and historical documentation. The process involved collaboration with the Ghadames Development Authority, headed by Abdulsalam Haiba, and a specialist team led by engineer Abdulmonem Ibrahim.
The village was recognized for its unique architectural and historical value, reflecting centuries of harmonious adaptation between human settlement and the desert environment. The listing is expected to boost cultural tourism in Ghadames and support sustainable development linked to heritage preservation.
