Flights Begin Operating between Cairo, Tripoli Airports

Planes are seen at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, Dec. 12, 2019. (Reuters)
Planes are seen at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, Dec. 12, 2019. (Reuters)
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Flights Begin Operating between Cairo, Tripoli Airports

Planes are seen at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, Dec. 12, 2019. (Reuters)
Planes are seen at Mitiga International Airport in Tripoli, Libya, Dec. 12, 2019. (Reuters)

The foreign ministry in the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) announced on Tuesday that Egyptian authorities have agreed to the resumption of flights from Tripoli’s Mitiga International Airport to Cairo International Airport.

Flights were halted ten years ago.

During that time, flights from Libya to Egypt could only land at Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria.

Foreign minister spokesman Mohammed al-Qiblawi hoped that the new flight would encourage Egypt to take permanent measures to open its airspace to Libyan airlines and resume direct flights with Cairo airport.

He said his ministry was keen on continuing the “constructive and positive” cooperation with Egypt to restore normal diplomatic relations.

The Libyan embassy in Cairo said that Foreign Minister Mohamed Taher Siala sponsored on Tuesday the opening of the flight route between the Cairo and Mitiga.

Siala was on board the flight that landed in the Egyptian capital where he will take part in a regular meeting for the Arab League. This will be the only flight for time being until preparations in both countries are complete to resume operations.

The Libyan charge d’affaires in Cairo said that the schedule for weekly flights will be announced as soon as the arrangements are done.



US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
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US Journalist Missing in Syria Since 2012 Is Believed to Be Alive, Says Aid Group

A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)
A banner for journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared while reporting in Syria in 2012, hangs outside the National Press Club building in Washington, US, May 2, 2023. (Reuters)

American journalist Austin Tice is believed to be still alive, according to the head of an international aid group.

Nizar Zakka, who runs the Hostage Aid Worldwide organization, said there has never been any proof that Tice, who has been missing since 2012, is dead.

He told reporters in Damascus on Tuesday that Tice was alive in January and being held by the authorities of ousted Bashar al-Assad. He added that US President Joe Biden said in August that Tice was alive.

Zakka said Tice was transferred between security agencies over the past 12 years, including in an area where Iranian-backed fighters were operating.

Asked if it was possible Tice had been taken out of the country, Zakka said Assad most likely kept him in Syria as a potential bargaining chip.

Biden said Dec. 8 that his administration believed Tice was alive and was committed to bringing him home, though he also acknowledged that “we have no direct evidence” of his status.