By Libya Herald reporter.
Tunis, 21 December 2017:
Flights to Tripoli’s Mitiga airport were diverted to Misrata yesterday and departing flights cancelled or delayed until today because of high winds and continuing rain. One Afrqiyah Airways fight from Tunis had to turn back.
The decision to stop flights landing at Mitiga was made yesterday afternoon when it became obvious that the bad weather would not lift. Only this morning were flights resumed, with one of the first planes to land being that of French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian who flew in for talks with Presidency Council head Faiez Serraj.
However, delays are expected during the day because of aircraft in the wrong place. Also it is reported that a number of flights may be delayed this evening because of reduced airport staffing as a resut of the difficulties getting to the airport because of flooded roads.
The University of Tripoli has had also to suspend classes and close departments today as bad weather continues to wreak havoc across the capital and western Libya.
The university president made the decision because of the difficulties faced by staff getting to work. The faculty of science will, however, remain open.
Meanwhile, the fire service in Tripoli criticised those who continued to try to drive around despite the appalling weather and flooded roads. It said that it lost a vehile today as it rescued a man and his son who had ventured out despite the warnings to stay at home.
Yesterday, heavy rains and cold weather forced local authorities across western Libya to close schools and other public buildings until after the weekend.
