Tripoli: The spread of locusts in the western region of Libya has escalated, posing a serious threat to agriculture. Hussein Al-Breiki, the media spokesman for the National Committee for Desert Locust Control and its technical advisor, disclosed that large swarms were spotted last week in Abu Zayan, Gharyan, and Wadi Ghan in the Western Mountains. Additional swarms have migrated to Abu Shaiba, Al-Azizia, Tiji, Nalot, and the Wazen area in the far northwest.
According to Libyan News Agency, Al-Breiki stated in press statements broadcast by Libya Al-Ahrar TV that significant numbers of locusts are also found in Wadi Tininai, south of Bani Walid, and parts of the Hamada area. He noted that control operations over the past few days have been minimal due to a lack of resources. Two teams with limited equipment are planned to be dispatched to the Al-Wafa field in Hamada and the Abu Shaiba area to tackle these swarms. Al-Buraiki warned that the current situation poses a considerable threat to the nation, with locusts present in large quantities across agricultural regions in the south, where resource limitations hinder effective intervention.
He assured that the committee will persist in its control initiatives and urged the Government of National Unity to allocate the required budget to bolster these efforts and protect agricultural crops in all impacted regions.