For the first time in almost ten years, a plane left Libya for Italy on Saturday. Despite the EU ban on Libyan airlines, a plane from the private airline Medsky flew from Tripoli airport to Rome.
Libyan authorities confirmed AFP journalists’ observations on Saturday.
The airline, founded in 2022, offers two weekly flights from Libya to the Italian capital. The internationally recognized Libyan government in Tripoli said on the online network Facebook that the resumption of flights took place as part of the “intensive efforts” by the Libyan side to lift the EU embargo on civil aviation in Libya.
Italy is now the second EU country after Malta to resume flight connections with Libya. Previously, Libyans were forced to use airports in Tunisia, Egypt or Turkey when flying to Europe.
Since the fall of ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011, there has been violence in Libya, with armed militias and foreign mercenaries fighting each other. The UN-recognized interim government in the capital Tripoli in the west is struggling for power with a counter-government in the east, backed by powerful General Khalifa Haftar.
In 2014, predominantly Muslim militias temporarily took control of Tripoli; The capital’s international airport was almost completely destroyed during the fighting. The EU countries subsequently interrupted their flight connections with Libya and banned Libyan airlines from flying over EU airspace. Since then, all governments in Libya have tried in vain to lift the EU ban. (sda/afp)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
