The WHO said Libya is the 28th country to eliminate trachoma, the leading infectious cause of blindness.
Defunding could result in a global death toll approaching, or even exceeding, that of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trial investigators say the results could expand the scale and impact of mass drug administration campaigns against neglected tropical diseases.
Researchers say reliance on earmarked voluntary contributions from external donors like the Gates Foundation undermines the WHO's independence.
It's the first neglected tropical disease to be eliminated in the island nation.
