Mohamed El-Shahoubi, Libya’s Minister of Transportation in the Government of National Unity, recently held discussions with Canan Yılmaz, the Turkish Ambassador to Libya, alongside a visiting delegation. The discussions, conducted at the ministry’s headquarters, also involved Khaled Suwaisi, Deputy Minister for Aviation Affairs, Abdulrahman Ben Yusuf, head of the Civil Aviation Authority, and Adel Bukhit Ibrahim, Director of the Technical Cooperation Office at the Ministry.
The main agenda of the meeting was to discuss the potential resumption of Turkish Airlines flights to Libyan airports, aiming to improve the aviation connection between the two countries and strengthen bilateral relations.
The discussions concluded with an agreement to draft a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to facilitate the quick resumption of flights. Both parties emphasized the importance of rapid progress on the MoU to reestablish air services and support growth in various sectors benefiting from improved transportation links.
This initiative represents a step towards revitalizing Libya’s aviation sector and restoring key air connections, expected to enhance economic and social ties between Libya and Turkey.
Since the 2011 NATO-supported uprising that led to the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya has faced political instability and conflict, resulting in a divided nation. The ongoing unrest has significantly impacted Libya’s oil-dependent economy, with repercussions for oil production and global market prices.
The conflict has also precipitated a humanitarian crisis within Libya, affecting thousands of lives and leading to the displacement of many. Furthermore, migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit country to Europe have encountered challenging conditions.
The delay of planned elections in December 2021, due to disputes over electoral laws and candidate eligibility, has heightened concerns about the prospects for a peaceful political transition in Libya. Despite a ceasefire, security issues, including sporadic violence and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters, remain pressing challenges that need to be addressed to ensure stability and progress.
