Libya and Iraq intend to start regular flights between Tripoli and Baghdad, a Libyan official said after a Libyan aircraft landed in Baghdad in defiance of a UN embargo, according to AFP.
"The arrival in Iraq of a Libyan plane is the prelude to the setting up of a regular link between Baghdad and Tripoli, without waiting for anyone's green light," said Abel Hamid Zentani, referring to the UN sanctions committee.
Zentani, who is in charge of the Libyan social solidarity fund, told Iraqi state television Wednesday: "We are in a single (Arab) house and when we move around the rooms in this house we generally do not get anybody's authorization."
Zentani arrived Tuesday on a Libyan plane carrying an 80-member delegation and humanitarian aid, according to the agency.
An Iraqi official earlier said talks would be held on setting up a regular weekly flight between Tripoli and Baghdad.
There are already regular flights between Amman and Baghdad.
There are also reports that the Yemeni national carrier, Yemenia, has decided to resume flights to Baghdad, defying the UN embargo.
Jordan has planned regular flights to the sanctions-hit country and has been seeking UN approval.
However, the Royal Jordanian was the first to dispatch a flight with humanitarian aid to Baghdad, which was followed by other Arab and international airplanes landing in Saddam International Airport.
Commercial flights to and from Iraq were suspended following the 1990-1991 Gulf War and the 11-year-old economic sanctions imposed on Iraq – Albawaba.com
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