
Libyan airline MedSky announced the start of direct flights to and from Düsseldorf Airport beginning May 17. This development follows Düsseldorf Airport's earlier listing of these flights. MedSky CEO Seraj Elfaituri stated that the return of direct flights between Libya and Germany, after more than a decade, signifies hope, connectivity, and a new phase of engagement with Europe. The new route to Düsseldorf will operate twice weekly, on Sundays and Fridays. Elfaituri emphasized that this reconnection with a key European economic center is historic and strategic, given Düsseldorf's importance for business, investment, and the Libyan and Arab communities, making it a hub for travel, medical treatment, study, and trade. This launch follows MedSky's successful initiation of direct flights to Madrid on April 21, and the CEO has also indicated plans for flights to London in the near future.
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Must ReadThe U.S. Department of State has approved a potential Foreign Military Sale to Tunisia for $95 million worth of equipment to support its Border Security Project Phase III. The sale includes commercial vehicles, vehicular radios, thermal cameras, radars, microwaves, perimeter cameras, long-term evolution systems, shelters, environmental sensors, generators, solar systems, various detectors for radiation, explosives, and chemicals, range finders, binoculars, search lights, and tactical thermal imagers. It also covers command and control hardware and software, spare parts, site preparation, installation, configuration, integration, testing, vehicular integration services, warranties, repair, and in-country training. The U.S. Department of State stated that this sale supports U.S. foreign policy and national security by enhancing the defense capabilities of Tunisia, a major non-NATO ally, contributing to political stability and economic progress in North Africa. This improved border control capacity, particularly along its border with Libya, is expected to positively impact Libya's border security against illicit trade and human trafficking. L3 Harris and Toyota are identified as the principal contractors.

A meeting between the US Embassy, the Head of the Department of Support and Development of Medical Services DSDMS, and the Director of the Comprehensive Medical Support Unit at the US Embassy focused on strengthening the US-Libyan partnership in healthcare. Discussions included developing Libya's healthcare system, localizing treatment, and exploring broader avenues for cooperation. A coordination meeting also took place with the American side and relevant DSDMS departments to enhance bilateral cooperation and plan the first Libyan-American Health Forum in Libya. The forum aims to support the healthcare sector and strengthen the partnership with the United States. Participants also discussed a joint memorandum of understanding for a general healthcare protocol and strategic areas such as training medical and paramedical personnel, localizing treatment for rare specialties, supporting specialized fields, introducing modern medical technologies, and developing medical management and operational systems. Medical twinning programs with American institutions, visiting physicians, intensive training for national staff, and cooperation with major American hospitals were also considered, including activating telemedicine and coordinating joint visits. Both parties agreed to form a joint committee to oversee coordination and develop a clear cooperation plan, and to dispatch a specialized team for field assessment of healthcare facilities to improve service quality and system efficienc
Must ReadNaji Issa, Governor of the Central Bank of Libya, met with Ma Xuliang, China's Ambassador to Libya, and Liu Jian, Counsellor and Chargé d’affaires at the Embassy. This meeting followed up on discussions between Governor Issa and the Governor of the People’s Bank of China on April 18 during the IMF Spring Annual Meetings in Washington DC. The agenda included the volume of trade between Libya and China and the strategic partnership roadmap for their banking sectors. They also discussed logistical preparations for a visit by a Libyan banking delegation, led by Governor Issa and including general managers from Libyan commercial banks, to China. This visit aims to foster bilateral cooperation between commercial banks in both nations and leverage Chinese expertise in electronic payments and direct financial transfers.

Suhail Abu Shiha, Libya's Minister of Economy and Trade, met with Italian Ambassador to Libya, Gianluca Albrini, along with the heads of the Libyan and Italian Chambers of Commerce, Anwar Abu Sitta and Nicola Colicchio, and Fabio Giudici, Director of the Commercial Office at the Italian Embassy. The meeting focused on reviewing trade indicators and existing investment partnerships across various sectors. Discussions also covered mechanisms to enhance cooperation between chambers of commerce and business owners to facilitate trade, increase exchange volume, and strengthen investment. The Minister highlighted the strong Libyan-Italian relations and Rome's support for Libya's economic development, reaffirming the Ministry's commitment to assisting Italian companies and investors entering the Libyan market and participating in government projects. The Italian ambassador praised the Tripoli-based Libyan government's efforts in revitalizing trade and investment, noting its growth and Italy's desire to boost transit trade to European and African markets by leveraging both countries' geographical locations. A workshop on "Libyan-Italian Relations: Towards a Comprehensive and Sustainable Cooperation Model" was also discussed, covering economic and development issues such as oil, renewable energy, agriculture, marine resources, water resources, investment promotion, and export development. Anwar Abusitta stated that the next phase will focus on activating the Joint Chamber of Commerce