By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 23 July 2016:
Afriqiyah Airways is to start a weekly flight between Tripoli Mitiga and Obari in the south west of the country. The service will begin on Monday, 25 July.
Until now residents in the Obari area have had to travel 400 kilomtres south-west to Ghat or 200 kilomtres north-east to Tamenhint, near Sebha, in order to fly to Tripoli.
The decision to launch a service to Obari reflects stability in the town and confidence in the effectiveness of the ceasefire between Tuareg and Tebu fighters in the area.
A prolonged conflict between the two which started in September 2014 resulted in over 300 lives lost and saw most residents flee the oasis town. There were various ceasefires culminating in efforts by the Qataris last November to mediate between both sides. However, all failed. In the end, it was an agreement mediated in Rome with the help of the Sant’Egidio community that worked. As a result, residents have returned home.
The Italian community has since been involved in ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid to Obari and the wider area. Earlier this month, a first container of medicines arrived at Obari hospital, the result of a humanitarian agreement signed the previous month in Rome by Fezzan activists and political figures.
