The National Museum of Libya in Tripoli reopened on 12 December after being closed since 2011, following the fall of Muammar Gaddafi and years of civil war. Housed in the historic Red Castle (Al-Saraya Al-Hamra), the museum was originally established by Italian colonizers in 1919 and later expanded by the British. Gaddafi opened a modernized version in 1988. A comprehensive restoration project with UNESCO assistance began in 2023 to bring the institution up to international standards.
The reopening is seen as a symbol of national stability and a step toward reclaiming Libya's cultural heritage. Libyan archaeologist Hafed Walda called it a "historic step" that reconnects citizens with their ancient past. However, challenges remain: four of Libya's five UNESCO World Heritage Sites are listed as endangered due to conflict, climate change, and trafficking of stolen artifacts. Despite this, experts like Victoria Leitch of the British Institute for Libyan and Northern African Studies express optimism about the return of foreign archaeologists and potential cultural tourism, calling the museum's reopening a "new beginning."