People gather at the starting point of Hamada Rally near Zintan city, Libya, Friday

The Hamada Rally kicked off at 10:30 a.m. Friday morning starting from the city of Zintan. It will last for three days. Participants are competing in three stages with the rally finishing in Zintan.

The Hamada Rally, which is organised by Al-Jawarih Tourism and Transport Company and sponsored by many business and the sport lovers, is one of many rallies that have been launched in the new democratic Libya aimed at encouraging Libyans to take part in this exciting sport.

Libya is a vast country that stretches over two million square kilometres and is most suitable for long motor rallies. Its Sahara desert contains all kinds of breath-taking terrains and mountains along with the biggest sand dunes in the world.

Over fifty participants from over Libya are taking part in the Hamada Rally.

Stage one began in Zintat and ends in Al-Murhan in the south. It will be followed by stage two that takes the drivers to the southwest and the city of Dirj-al-Khammasa. The third stage starts at Dirj come taking the participants to the northeast of the country finishing in Zintan city.

The organisers of Hamada Rally say they plan to make the rally an annual event and will extend the distance to cover most of Libya. They hope that by time the rally will attract the attention of world famous drivers from all over the world.