A Tuareg band performs a traditional dance during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat, Libya.
A Tuareg band performs a traditional dance during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat, Libya. In the annual event, Tuareg tribes from the region and tourists meet to celebrate Tuareg traditional culture, folklore and heritage. Reuters

Libya has observed its annual Ghat Festival of culture and tourism in Ghat, about 1,360 km (845 miles) south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli.

At the festival, currently in its 19th edition, Tuareg tribes, the primary inhabitants of the region, celebrate Tuareg traditional culture, folklore and heritage.

Ghat, also known as Aghat, is the capital of the Ghat District in the Fezzan region of south western Libya. The annual festival of this desert town, located on the border near Libya's border with Algeria, celebrates the essence of northern Africa's music and dance.

Camel racing forms a major part of the Ghat Festival.

An African tourism hotspot because of existence of prehistoric rock paintings and picturesque Saharan landscapes, Ghat has begun to draw tourists following the Libyan war and end of Gaddafi regime in 2011.

The Ghat Festival 2014 saw glory like the old days with tourists enjoying the local culture as exhibitions of traditional handicrafts and performances added to the festive fervour.

Check out below the pictures from the latest edition of Ghat Festival in Libya.

Tuareg men ride camels in the desert during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism.
Tuareg men ride camels in the desert during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism. Reuters
Tuareg women sings traditional songs.
Tuareg women sings traditional songs. Reuters
A Tuareg band performs folkloric songs
A Tuareg band, wearing traditional dresses, performs folkloric songs. Reuters
A Murzuq band performs a popular song, during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat.
A Murzuq band performs a popular song, during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat. Reuters
A Tuareg band performs a traditional dance.
A Tuareg band performs a traditional dance. Reuters
Camels graze in the desert during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat.
Camels graze in the desert during the 19th Ghat Festival of Culture and Tourism, in Ghat. Reuters