TRIPOLI: Libya’s interim government said on Thursday that parts of the war-torn country’s airspace has reopened to commercial flights after an agreement it signed with NATO officials in Malta.
"Parts of the Libyan airspace are now open to commercial flights," the National Transitional Council said in a statement.
"The meeting … resulted in the signing of an agreement between NATO and Libya for the provision of air navigation services by the Libyan civil aviation authority within limited portions of Libyan airspace," Anwar Al-Fayturi was quoted as saying.
"The agreement is an extremely important step towards improving transport and communication in Libya. It is also a clear sign that Libya is stabilizing," the minister added.
The agreement became effective despite the United Nations’ no-fly zone over Libya, which was passed in March and cleared the way for NATO air strikes on the forces of former Libyan leader Moammer Qaddafi.
A senior NATO official said Thursday’s agreement would help to guarantee the provision of humanitarian aid to Libya.
"This agreement practically starts the process to take some of the airspace and hand that to the Libyans and other agencies like Malta so that they can ensure that the flow of humanitarian assistance continues and possibly increases," said Lieutenant General Ralph J. Jodice.
He and Fayturi explained the air corridors which were being handed over to the Libyan civil aviation authorities would link Benghazi to Tripoli and Misrata and the rest of the world.
Air traffic controllers from Malta, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt were present for the signing ceremony.
