by Theodore Jones –
Libyan Minister of Transportation Mohamed al-Shohobi launched the first tourist cruise line between Libya and Turkey on Wednesday, the first trip of its kind in Libya in over 20 years, according to a statement from the Ministry of Transportation.
The cruise line’s launch is part of the Libyan government’s efforts to promote public-private partnerships, according to the ministry.
“The Government of National Unity has helped to overcoming all the difficulties and obstacles that beset the realization of this project,” the statement stated.
“We are in the process of preparing numerous specific measures, in agreement with the Egyptian, Tunisian and Moroccan governments, to open tourist cruise lines in the near future,” al-Shohobi added.
The new cruise line will run between Misurata city of Libya, and Izmir of Turkey.
“There is a good demand for this cruise line, even though it’s not summertime. For the first trip, there are about 220 passengers, and the trip takes about 48 hours,” Taha Hadid, spokesman of Misurata maritime station, told Xinhua.