Beida

Az Zawiya Al Bayda, also known as Al-Baidhah, El-Beda or Beida is a town in Northeast Libya, 200 km East of Benghazi. One of the greatest attractions in the city is the tomb of a famous companion of the Prophet Muhammad, Ruwaifi bin Thabit al-Ansari, for that reason, the city was initially known as Sidi Rafaa' after him. After the arrival of Sayyid Muhammad ibn Ali as-Senussi in the 19th century and the construction of a Zawia, the city was renamed Az Zawiya Al Bayda (The White Monastery).

The modern city was built in the 1950's. At first Beida was intended to be the new capital of Libya, and most of the necessary government buildings were constructed. Eventually, an arrangement to move the capital from Tripoli to Beyda was dropped after all and  Bayda remains the administrative seat for Al Jabal al Akhdar District.

Bayda is home to the Omar Mukhtar University, which also has campuses at Al Qubah, Derna and Tobruk. The most important faculties at the university are Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary, Art, Agriculture, Engineering and General Science. Dr. Salim is the President of the University.

Bayda is also well known for the neighbouring areas of Shahad and Susah. Shahad has ruins from the Cyrene era, which are over 2,000 years old. Susa is a seaside resort. The climate at Bayda is supposed to be the most pleasant in all of Libya. The winters are prolonged from October to March, the temperatures falling to as low as 5 °C.

Flights to Beida with Libyan Airlines

Libyan Airlines is operating flights to Beida and sever domestic and international destinations.