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.



Israel Carries Out Several Attacks in Southern Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
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Israel Carries Out Several Attacks in Southern Lebanon

A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)
A picture taken from the southern Lebanese region of Marjayoun, shows the destruction in Khiam on November 28, 2024, a day after a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah took effect. (AFP)

The Israeli army carried out several attacks in southern Lebanon on Friday, the third day of the ceasefire between Hezbollah and Israel, Lebanon’s state media said.

Artillery bombardment struck the villages of Markaba, Talusa and Khiyam while four Israeli tanks moved into the western part of Khiam, the report said, adding that an Israeli tank fired at a house in Nabatiyeh province.

Local media also reported that the Israeli army fired on civilians in the nearby village of Bint Jbeil. No casualties were immediately reported and The Associated Press was not immediately able to verify the claims.

Israel’s military said it struck an area in southern Lebanon where it detected movement of a Hezbollah rocket launcher on Friday.

In the statement on the airstrike, the military said it would “actively enforce violations of the ceasefire agreement.”

There was no immediate comment from the Lebanese army, which has accused Israel of breaking the ceasefire several times since it came into effect.