The ‘Al-Wasat Gateway’ reported this Wednesday evening that the resumption of flights will begin at a rate of two flights per week. This will restore the air link between the Libyan city and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, offering travelers wider options for transit through Amman to various international destinations. The airport stated that ‘the Libyan step represents a new phase of openness, and the movement will contribute to facilitating travel and expanding mobility opportunities for citizens and travelers.’ According to the site, the resumption of flights to Misrata Airport in Libya is a continuation of the Jordanian airline’s path of reopening its routes within Libyan airports over the past two years. It is noted that Benina International Airport in Benghazi received the company’s first flights last January after a years-long hiatus. The company also returned to Mitiga International Airport in July 2024, after nearly a decade-long interruption. A correspondent from the agency reported that the decision to close the airport came after armed clashes between groups affiliated with different formations in the Sikat and Giran areas, south of Misrata in western Libya. These confrontations are the first of their kind in Misrata since the 2011 war, causing concern and panic among residents, especially since medium and light weapons were used in these clashes. It is noted that Misrata is one of the largest cities, witnessing sporadic armed tensions due to power struggles between competing groups. Libya has been suffering from a complex political crisis since 2011, with two rival governments, one in the east led by Osama Hammad and the other in the west led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, who refuses to relinquish power except through elections. Elections were scheduled to take place in Libya on December 24, 2021, but political disagreements among competing parties, along with disputes over the election law, prevented their completion. Despite repeated international and local attempts to unify the divided institutions between east and west, efforts continue to find a political solution that will put an end to the crisis and pave the way for lasting stability.
