In a significant move to bolster border security and enhance regional trade, the Libyan Ministry of Interior, based in Tripoli, announced last Wednesday, November 13, the activation of electronic observatories for the Border Guard Service. These developments are part of a broader initiative to secure the Libyan-Tunisian border, with the Al-Assa border security sector at the forefront of these efforts.
The newly activated electronic observatories consist of six high-tech watch towers, designed to direct and assist border patrol units along the Libyan-Tunisian boundary. This strategic deployment aligns with the Ministry’s comprehensive security plan, primarily aimed at combating irregular migration and smuggling activities.
Simultaneously, the Land Ports Management and Operation Centre of the Tripoli-based Libyan Ministry of Transportation declared its preparedness to operationalize the Ghadames-Al-Debdeb border crossing with Algeria. This move is in anticipation of the resumption of passenger and commercial traffic in the near future.
In a conversation with the Libya Herald, Siraj Al-Hamal, Director of the Media Office of the Ministry of Transport, highlighted the significance of reopening the Libya-Algeria border crossing. The decision, driven by the Tripoli Libyan government and particularly the Ministry of Transport, intends to ease citizen movement and revitalize direct commercial exchanges between Algeria and Libya, bypassing the need for transit through Tunisia.
Al-Hamal mentioned that the Libyan-Algerian joint committee officially endorsed the resumption of operations at the Ghadames-Al-Debdeb land port in Algiers. This agreement, reached in the presence of the Libyan ambassador, outlines a protocol regulating the bilateral movement of people and goods. The official opening of the port awaits authorization from Mohamed Al-Shahoubi, the Libyan Minister of Transport based in Tripoli.
The inauguration of the border crossing, scheduled for the coming days, marks a pivotal moment in restoring direct transport and communication links between Libya and Algeria.
Impact on Travel and Commerce
Al-Hamal emphasized the positive implications of the crossing’s return, predicting a reduction in both transportation costs and transit times. This development is expected to bolster the economies of both nations, paving the way for new economic cooperation and joint investment opportunities.
Economic Prospects and Historical Context
It’s important to note that Mohamed Al-Hwej, Minister of Economy and Trade, expressed aspirations last May for a free trade zone with Algeria. He anticipates that trade, following the border reopening, could soar to 3 billion dollars, a significant increase from the current 65 million dollars, of which 59 million dollars constitute Algerian exports to Libya.
The Ghadames-Al-Debdeb border crossing, which had been closed for over eight years, witnessed a call for reopening by Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba during a field visit last August. This reopening is not just a logistical move but a significant step in strengthening the ties and economic interdependence between Libya and Algeria.