Egypt bans travelling to and from Libya 'until situation stabilizes'

Egyptian authorities issued a travel ban to and from Libya starting from Tuesday until the security situation in Libya improves, a security official told Anadolu news agency.

According to General Anani Hamouda, Matrouh Secrurity Director, the Sallum Port security directorate received orders, effective on Tuesday, to stop Egyptians from traveling to Libya, and also ban Libyans from entering Egypt due to the current unrest in Libya.

Concerning the movement of trucks, Hamouda said it will continue without interruption.

The movement of travellers through Sallum border crossing has been organised according to an agreement signed on March 15 between the Libyan and Egyptian governments, which allowed Egyptian citizens to travel to Libya on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and allowed Libyans to visit Egypt on Sundays and Mondays.

The Linyan city of Benghazi is witnessing armed clashes between forces led by the retired general Khalifa Haftar and other revolutionaries and fighters led by the army’s chief commander, both trying to take control of the cirty. The clashes left at least 75 dead and 136 injured according to the Libyan health ministry.