The Libyan-Algerian Border Set To Reopen Mainly For Commercial Benefits
The Libyan-Algerian border crossing will soon reopen, according to Qassem Al-Manea, the mayor of the municipality of Ghadames, a town in northwest Libya. The border crossing will initially be restored for business purposes only, and later for travelers in accordance with the agreement reached between the two sides, Al-Manea stated highlighting the effort to reopen the crossing for all citizens to ease travel between the two nations according to Libya Herald.
After a full year of discussions between the security, military, and economic agencies, as he said, it was decided during the most recent meeting of the formed committees to hold a Libyan-Algerian meeting next week in preparation for the opening of the border crossing. According to Al-Manea, this step will help Ghadames city escape its current economic stagnation.
Initially, back in 2021, Libya and Algeria agreed to open the Al-Debdeb-Ghadames border crossing, as interior ministers of both sides met in Algeria to discuss bilateral relations. The two sides decided to strengthen bilateral relations and establish technical committees to look into potential areas of cooperation, such as training police officers and taking into account the interests of both nations. According to the Libya Herald, they also discussed the reopening of border crossings to ease the transit of commodities in an effort to lower the high prices, particularly in southern Libya.
However, according to Reuters, the troops loyal to Khalifa Haftar, the commander of eastern Libya, blocked the border with Algeria back in 2021 after significant deployments of his forces to the south highlighted his persistent role despite attempts to unite the country. Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) moved troops into the already-allied southern city of Sebha and they sent more troops to a southern border crossing with Algeria.
Now hopes are all up for the border to reopen and utilize it for the economic advantage of both countries!
