4/21/2005

Libyan Leader Ghadafi Cancels Summit Plans Over Sermon Row

Libyan President Moammar Ghadafi abruptly canceled plans to attend a summit of Asian-African leaders in Jakarta after Indonesia denied him permission to deliver a religious sermon at a mosque, a report said.

"We deeply regret that the Libyan president cannot come," the Antara news agency quoted Indonesian official Muhyiddin Junaidi as saying. "His main reason is the Indonesian government does not give him permission to deliver a sermon during the Friday prayers at the Istiqlal mosque."

Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono had initially approved Ghadafi to deliver the sermon in Southeast Asia's largest mosque, but changed his mind after Religious Affairs Minister Maftuh Basyuni objected, Antara cited Muhyiddin as saying, without elaborating.

Officials at the Libyan embassy confirmed that Ghadafi would not be coming but refused to give any reasons. Indonesian foreign ministry officials were not immediately available for comment.
The summit opened 22. April 2005 in the Indonesian capital, drawing together leaders and representatives of 80 nations.

Source: Antara News

Libyan Arab Airlines start flights to Niger

Libyan Arab Airlines has inaugurated a new air route to Niger in a bid to boost economic cooperation between the two countries.

The new air route will link the southern Libyan city of Sebha with Niger’s Agadis. The maiden flight by the Libyan Airliner arrived in Agadis airport Tuesday evening with a delegation comprising experts from civil Aviation Authority, Libyan Airlines Co, Tripoli International Airport and Sebha International Airport on board.

The Governor of Agadis Region, Yehia Yndka, said in a celebration marking the arrival of the Libyan flight that the new route will enhance the bilateral agreement singed by the two countries. An official at Libyan Airlines said flights between the two cities would be once a week. He added the inauguration of this route will contribute to promoting economic cooperation between the two countries.

Source: JANA

4/06/2005

Libya joins Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA)

Libya has signed the documents for accession to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) to become a full member of this African Economic Community.

The agreement was signed by the Secretary of Cooperation Affairs at the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, as well as by head of states of COMESA members, who welcomed Libya’s accession to this AU economic community during the meetings of the 10th COMESA summit in the Rwandan capital Kigali during the past two days.

COMESA comprise Rwanda, Uganda, Sudan, Djibouti, Zambia, Kenya, Malawi, Swaziland Kingdom, Mauritius, D R Congo, Egypt, Zimbabwe, Burundi, Ethiopia, Comoro islands, Eritrea, Madagascar, and Libya.

The group aims at realizing sustainable development to members states through parallel and harmonies development of productions and markets, promotion of common development in all fields of economic activities, and cooperation for the creation of an environment appropriate for local and external multiparty investment, and encouraging research in sciences and technology for development and contribution to realize the goals of the African Economic Community.

Source. JANA