Egyptian Delegation Inspects Libya’s Airports to Resume Direct Flights

A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
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Egyptian Delegation Inspects Libya’s Airports to Resume Direct Flights

A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)
A delegation from the Egyptian Ministry of Civil Aviation inspects Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi (Libya’s Airports Authority)

A delegation from Egypt’s Civil Aviation Ministry is expected to complete its mission to inspect Libya’s main airports ahead of the resumption of direct flights to Cairo International Airport.

Their mission came following the meeting of the Libyan-Egyptian Joint Consulate which agreed to facilitate travel between the two countries.

Libya’s Airports Authority said the delegation inspected on Wednesday Benina International Airport, east of Benghazi.

Its members were received by delegates from the Libyan aviation and airports departments, in addition to representatives from the Libyan Airlines and Afriqiyah Airways.

The delegation was briefed on the security procedures and measures taken at the Benina Airport.

An official in Libya’s Airports Authority told Asharq Al-Awsat that the delegation noticed a commitment to implement internationally followed security and safety measures.

The delegation has also visited Mitiga and Misrata international airports.

On March 2, 2020, the Egyptian authorities granted Libyan Airlines an exceptional permission to land at Cairo Airport.

Then Foreign Minister of Libya’s Government of National Accord Mohamed Taher Siala was on board the flight to take part in a regular meeting for the Arab League.

Flights from Libya to Egypt could only land at Borg El Arab International Airport in Alexandria.



Sudan's RSF Says It Has Not Been Officially Notified of Humanitarian Truce in El Fasher

RSF fighters in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur (File photo – Telegram)
RSF fighters in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur (File photo – Telegram)
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Sudan's RSF Says It Has Not Been Officially Notified of Humanitarian Truce in El Fasher

RSF fighters in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur (File photo – Telegram)
RSF fighters in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur (File photo – Telegram)

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) said it had not received any official request from international actors to implement a humanitarian truce in the city of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, where thousands of civilians remain trapped and at risk of famine.

The statement came a day after Sudanese army chief and head of the ruling Sovereign Council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, agreed to a week-long ceasefire in El Fasher at the request of United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

RSF legal adviser Mohamed al-Mukhtar al-Nour told Asharq Al-Awsat that the group rejects any partial or full ceasefire, whether in El Fasher or elsewhere. He said the RSF had not received formal communication from the UN or the United States regarding the proposed truce.

According to al-Nour, El Fasher is now largely deserted, with most civilians having fled to areas such as Tawila, Karma, and Jebel Marra.

Those remaining in the city, he claimed, are Sudanese Armed Forces personnel and allied fighters from armed movements supporting the army.

El Fasher has been the focal point of intense fighting in recent weeks, raising alarm among humanitarian agencies about the safety of civilians and the worsening humanitarian crisis in Darfur.