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East Libyan International Airport Reopens After 2-Year Hiatus - Ministry

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BAYDA (Sputnik) - Al Abraq International Airport east of Benghazi in east Libya has reopened after two-year repairs, head of the transport minister's office in the eastern parliament Ahmed Abu Qassim Shibli told Sputnik on Thursday.

"Today [on Thursday] Al Abraq International Airport has reopened since it was closed two years ago in order to carry out repairs and to improve the passenger terminal," the director said.

He also added that the first flight is to take place on Tuesday. It will be the flight of Libyan pilgrims to Mecca in Saudi Arabia.

Libyan National Army (LNA) members, commanded by Khalifa Haftar, head out of Benghazi to reinforce the troops advancing to Tripoli, in Benghazi, Libya April 7, 2019 - Sputnik International
Africa
Libyan Gov't Forces Push Back Haftar's Forces South of Tripoli - Reports

Meanwhile, LNA spokesman Ahmed Mismari reportedly announced that Haftar had announced the start of the second stage of the offensive on Tripoli after the completion of the first phase, launched on 4 April to drive out what he described as terrorist forces from the city. In response, armed forces loyal to the Tripoli-based GNA started a military operation against the LNA.

READ MORE: Haftar's Army Downs Military Aircraft En Route From Misrata, Libya — Official

As a result of years-long civil conflict, there is no single central government in Libya, and the country's eastern and western parts are controlled by separate powers. The Tobruk-based parliament, elected in 2014 and backed by the Libyan National Army, governs the east of Libya, while the Government of National Accord, established in 2015, controls Libya's western parts from Tripoli.

READ MORE: Washington Rejects Report on Trump's Support For Haftar's Offensive on Tripoli

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