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.



Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
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Lebanon to Increase Army Personnel Ahead of Possible Deployment South of Litani

Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)
Prime Minister Najib Mikati chairing the cabinet meeting (Photo: The Prime Minister’s office)

The Lebanese government has approved funding to recruit 1,500 new military personnel in the Lebanese Army as part of an initiative to increase military presence along the southern border, amid Israel’s ongoing hostilities.
The funds will be provided to the Ministry of Defense as an advance, a decision highlighted by the Minister of Information for its political and international significance, particularly in relation to implementing United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701.
Prime Minister Najib Mikati in the caretaker government emphasized that continued and escalating Israeli attacks on Lebanon amount to crimes against humanity. He stated that a primary pathway to a resolution involves halting hostilities against the country, fully implementing Resolution 1701, and electing a new president to restore institutional order, stability, and initiate reconstruction.

Mikati condemned what he described as an international failure to stop Israel’s actions against Lebanon, which include attacks on towns and villages, civilian deaths, and strikes against medical and relief personnel.
“We condemn and hold the international community responsible for the continuation of Israel’s genocidal war on Lebanon, its destruction of towns and villages, killing of civilians, assassination of army personnel, and targeting of medical teams, civil defense, relief teams, and journalists.
“Additionally, the attacks on UNIFIL, which represents international legitimacy, make targeting UNIFIL an assault on the international community and the Security Council. This destruction continues to affect hospitals, schools, and educational centers,” stated Mikati.
On the international front, Mikati highlighted the solidarity shown by world figures, referring to his discussions with leaders like Jordan’s King Abdullah, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, and Britain’s Prime Minister. This was further demonstrated during the Paris Conference in Support of Lebanon -late on October- he underlined, specifically thanking France for its humanitarian efforts and military support.
But he added: “But unfortunately, Israel is blatantly disregarding all international efforts to achieve a ceasefire.”
The prime minister reiterated Lebanon’s stance on safeguarding its dignity and sovereignty across air, sea, and land, pledging to confront any Israeli violations.
Following the cabinet meeting, Minister of Information Ziad Makari assured that funds to recruit 1,500 additional soldiers are available and that the government encountered no issues regarding this allocation.
Nasser Yassin, the government’s Emergency Committee coordinator, announced that the cabinet approved fuel allocations for 541 shelters in mountainous regions over 300 meters in altitude to ensure winter heating. Yassin also detailed efforts concerning the people displaced as the result of the Israeli hostilities in Lebanon.
He highlighted that there are 44,000 families in 1,138 shelters and an additional 147,000 families housed within communities.