Libya: Flights Resume Between Tripoli, Benghazi

The Afriqiyah Airways plane before departing from Mitiga Airport in Tripoli to Benina Airport in Benghazi on Friday, October 16, 2020 (Mitiga Airport)
The Afriqiyah Airways plane before departing from Mitiga Airport in Tripoli to Benina Airport in Benghazi on Friday, October 16, 2020 (Mitiga Airport)
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Libya: Flights Resume Between Tripoli, Benghazi

The Afriqiyah Airways plane before departing from Mitiga Airport in Tripoli to Benina Airport in Benghazi on Friday, October 16, 2020 (Mitiga Airport)
The Afriqiyah Airways plane before departing from Mitiga Airport in Tripoli to Benina Airport in Benghazi on Friday, October 16, 2020 (Mitiga Airport)

An Afriqiyah Airways plane arrived on Friday morning at Benina International Airport departing from Mitiga International Airport, on the first scheduled flight from Tripoli to Benghazi in almost two years.

Libyans have expressed hope that the rest of the arrangements be made between rival parties to eliminate the effects of war on Tripoli and “demolish the wall of hatred" built by conflict.

The flight was seen by many as a dove carrying messages of peace and highlighting the time to turn the page of a 13-month war that left thousands dead and wounded and inflicted damage to the capital's infrastructure.

The flight carried a delegation from the Libyan Civil Aviation Authority, the Libyan Airports Authority, and Afriqiyah airlines itself, Benina airport said.

It noted that parties headed to Tripoli to discuss the operation of internal and external flights, maintenance procedures, as well as the precautionary measures that shall be taken by the two airports.

Libyan political figures and MPs expressed joy and described the step as a “beginning to reunite the war-torn social fabric.”

Head of the Libyan Media Foundation said Friday’s flight is the beginning for upcoming regular flights among all Libyan airports.

"Wars are not an option, division is not a destiny, and compassion, mercy, communication, cohesion, friendship, and love are Libyan people’s destiny and choice," he stressed.

He also hailed the role played by Head of the Presidential Council Fayez al-Sarraj and his deputy Ahmed Maiteeq, as well as civilian and military officials in Benghazi and the efforts to make this step a success.

Meanwhile, an economic expert described the resumption of aviation between Benghazi and Tripoli as a “joyful and major step,” expressing hope that all Libyans again communicate and reunite.

The domestic air traffic between eastern and western Libya was halted in light of the war launched by Commander in Chief of Libya’s National Army Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar on Tripoli on April 4, 2019.

The war launched between western and eastern Libya was accompanied by hate speech and escalation of the hostile rhetoric in the Libyan political and social circles.

Rival parties accused each other of betrayal due to differing positions on the military operation.



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon's Presidential Election is My Priority After Ceasefire

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Lebanon's Presidential Election is My Priority After Ceasefire

Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH
Lebanon's Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri (R) meets with French President's Special Envoy to Lebanon Jean-Yves Le Drian (L), in Beirut, Lebanon, 28 November 2024. EPA/WAEL HAMZEH

Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri has set the presidential election session for January 9, 2024, calling it a “productive” meeting and announcing that accredited ambassadors in Lebanon will be invited.

Berri told Asharq Al-Awsat that his priority after the ceasefire with Israel is the presidential election, which he called a “national necessity.”

The announcement came as French envoy Jean-Yves Le Drian arrived in Beirut for talks with Lebanese leaders about restarting stalled political efforts due to the war between Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah.

Both Berri and Prime Minister Najib Mikati received a call from French President Emmanuel Macron late Wednesday.

Macron discussed with Mikati the current situation in Lebanon following the ceasefire, as well as the implementation of decisions made at the recent Lebanon Support Conference in Paris.

In his call with Berri, Macron addressed the general situation, recent steps taken by Lebanon regarding the ceasefire and Israeli provocations, and preparations for the presidential election.

This renewed presidential push comes after more than two years of a vacant presidency, with Lebanese political parties still divided over a consensus candidate.