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Doha – Libya and Morocco are working to restore air connectivity by 2025, ending a nearly decade-long suspension of flights that began in February 2015 when Morocco imposed security restrictions preventing Libyan aircraft from entering its airspace.
The announcement came during a meeting in Rabat between Libyan Unity Government’s Transport Minister Salem Al-Shahoubi and Moroccan Minister of Transport and Logistics, Abdessamad Kayyouh, on the sidelines of the 29th extraordinary session of the Arab Civil Aviation Organization’s General Assembly.
According to a statement published on the Moroccan Ministry of Transport’s website, both ministers expressed their commitment to developing bilateral cooperation in all transportation sectors. The officials also discussed establishing a direct maritime route to enhance trade relations between the two nations.
“The Libyan government is ready to support any initiative to launch a direct maritime line that contributes to encouraging trade movement between the two countries,” Al-Shahoubi stated during the meeting. He emphasized the importance of resuming air flights to strengthen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors.
Read also: Morocco Reiterates Support for Political Process to Resolve Libyan Crisis
The ministers agreed to intensify joint technical committee meetings to explore mechanisms for enhancing cooperation and exchanging expertise in the transport sector.
This transportation initiative comes amid Morocco’s ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis. Most recently, on December 18-19, Morocco hosted consultative meetings in Bouznika between Libya’s House of Representatives and the High Council of State, bringing together 120 participants for intra-Libyan dialogue.
During these meetings, Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita reaffirmed the country’s position, stating: “We stress that Morocco believes Libyan dialogues can only succeed in the absence of foreign interventions.”
The Libyan factions expressed their gratitude to Morocco in a joint statement, thanking “the King, the government and the people for the hospitality, warm welcome and the great support that the Kingdom has continuously provided to the Libyan people for several years to end the crisis.”
The meetings resulted in both Libyan institutions agreeing to continue joint discussions promoting national reconciliation and peaceful crisis resolution, emphasizing the importance of transparent elections based on the 6+6 laws endorsed by UN Security Council resolutions.
