Jordan Times
Wednesday, July 22, 1998
Jordanians appeal for lifting of air embargo to aid Libyans seeking medical
assistance
By Mohammad Ben Hussein
AMMAN — The Jordanian Humane Society for the Assistance of the
Libyan Patients (JHSALP), has commenced operations in Jordan to generate greater awareness
of the plight of Libyan medical patients and to lobby for new transport regulations to
facilitate their journey to Jordan.
“We want to lobby for the institution of direct flights from Libya to Jordan so
patients in dire need of medical assistance can be brought here without having to
undertake the gruelling land journey that can prove fatal for some of them,” Abdul
Wali' Mommani from JHSALP told the Jordan Times.
More than 850 Libyan patients died in car accidents on public roads while being
transported by ambulance through the desert before reaching their destination, according
to a report by the JHSALP.
Dr. Mommani said the JHSALP is non-political society whose main mission is to lobby
international organisations to influence the United Nations to permit regular flights
between the two Arab countries.
“It is estimated that 70,000 Libyan patients come to Jordan yearly for medical
treatment,” said Dr. Mommani. “They are forced to take a 14-day trip through the
desert to reach to Jordan. Libyans spend around $100 million here for health care,”
added Dr. Mommani, chairman of JHSALP board.
“We sent a letter to His Majesty King Hussein and His Royal Highness Crown Prince
Hassan asking them to support the society in achieving its goals, which will have a
positive impact on our economy,” he added.
“If the United Nations allows flights between Amman and Tripoli, this will increase
the economic cooperation between Jordan and Libya, bringing millions of dinars to
Jordan,” said Dr. Mommani.
Libya has been under U.N.-backed air embargo since 1992 for refusing to turn over two
Libyans suspected in the 1988 bombing of an American airliner over the Scottish town of
Lockerbie in which 270 people were killed.
Several Middle Eastern and African leaders have flown to Tripoli in a bid to end the
sanction imposed on the Arab country.