Libya Build, the country’s largest building and construction materials trade fair, was held last week at the Tripoli International Fairground.

According to the organisers, some 18,775 visitors – a new record – passed through the doors during the four days of the event, which was the first since 2010. A total of 637 companies exhibited, with the biggest foreign presence coming from Italy, Turkey and France.

The High National Elections Commission (HNEC), the body responsible for organising Libya's upcoming constituent assembly elections, recently said that some 2.7 million people had registered to vote by a 21 May deadline.

This number, which represents roughly 80% of the eligible electorate nationwide, is higher than many expected and - despite the initial deadline having to be extended due to a lacklustre start - should be seen as a successful first step towards holding the first national elections in more than 60 years. 

Libya's Higher National Election Commission (HNEC) has extended the deadline for voter registration, which was due to expire on 14 May, for a further week.  The constituent assembly elections are due to be held nationwide on 19 June.

Voter registration opened on 1 May for what are set to be Libya's first national elections in more than 60 years. Due to be held on 19 June, the elections will appoint a constituent assembly tasked with drafting a new constitution and paving the way for legislative elections to be held in 2013.