Morocco to Host Talks Between Libyan Factions.

The U.N. is offering Morocco a chance to get involved again with the Libyan issue - an opportunity for Rabat to return, after three years of forced absence, to the forefront of the issue and to play a constructive role

Shaken by the violence and political instability, Libyan rival political factions - the parliament of Toubrouk, recognised by the international community, and that of Tripoli, controlled by Islamists  - have agreed in principle to a meeting in Morocco. They will begin discussions to find a solution to the chaos prevailing in the country since the fall of the Gaddafi regime.

In Rabat, Libyans will continue negotiations already initiated in mid-January in Geneva and on 10 February in Ghadames, about 650 km south-west of Tripoli, on the border with Tunisia.

They must agree on four main points: restore confidence, alleviate the suffering of the population, achieve a truce and finally agree to form a national unity government. The proposal to relocate the peace talks between the warring brothers to Morocco, comes from the United Nations. Given the extremely tense environment, the Islamists in Tripoli have finally resigned to accept the proposal of made by Ban Ki-moon.

Although Morocco was a member of the club "Friends of the Libyan people", the mainstay of the revolution of February 17, 2011, the country was ousted as a participant by Algeria under the pretext that Morocco has no border with Libya. The return of Morocco to the club is seen internationally as a positive step.

The Background

The Second Libyan Civil War is an ongoing conflict between Islamist forces (also called the "New General National Congress" or "Libyan Dawn"); forces aligned with General Khalifa Haftar and the elected parliament or "Council of Deputies" based in the eastern port city of Tobruk. Both forces are made up of a "myriad" of militias, that sometimes change sides. After October 2014 a third force, ISIL militants, entered the war, taking over the town of Derna.

The military of Egypt and the UAE have also become involved, making airstrikes against Libyan Dawn and ISIL forces. Qatar has aided Islamist insurgent forces.

As of February 2015, damage and disorder from the war has been considerable. There are frequent electric outages, little business activity, a loss in revenues from oil by 90%. Over 3,000 people have died from the fighting, and "nearly a third" of the country’s population has fled to Tunisia as refugees.


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Morocco Wins Arab Nations Cup

In an unexpected victory, Morocco became the latest side to lift the Arab Nations Cup as they defeated Libya in a drama-filled final. The champions prevailed 3-1 in a penalty shoot-out after extra time finished with both sides level on a goal apiece.

It was a suitably exciting conclusion to a tournament that served up surprises from its start to finish. Morocco were perhaps the most surprising of victors. The champions triumphed over a raft of top sides despite entering the competition with a squad comprised entirely of domestic league players, while various pre-tournament favourites failed to make an impression.

As the dust settles, FIFA.com takes a look back over the rollercoaster ride that was the 2012 Arab Nations Cup.

Moroccan players celebrate their victory

Moroccan champions

Few were optimistic about Morocco’s chances after Belgian coach Eric Gerets announced a squad made up entirely of players from the country’s domestic league, but the eventual winners put the naysayers to shame when they finished top of Group B - their superior goal difference leaving Libya into second place.

It was during the final group stage game against Yemen that the side’s top scorer for the tournament, Yassine Salhi, first made his mark, scoring all the goals in Morocco’s 4-0 defeat of their Southern Arabian opponents and booking them a spot in the semi-finals against Iraq.

Having edged Iraq 2-1 in the last four, the Moroccans readied themselves for a tough North African derby against Libya in the final.

Morocco was leading in the score since the 5th minute of the first half of the game. Brahim EL Bahri opened the score for the Atlas Lions in a match marked by fierce competition from the Libyan team.

In the absence of a second goal that could have sealed the fate of the game, the Atlas Lions was forced to defend their tiny advantage.

While everybody was expecting the game to end with this score, Libya snatched the equalizer at the 88th minutes, forcing the Moroccans to play the extra time.

As many had predicted, the two teams proved unable to provide a decisive result before the whistle blew for the end of extra time and with the score deadlocked at 1-1, the former Group B rivals were set for a spot-kick decider.

It was to be Morocco’s night, though, with the Lions of the Atlas holding their nerve to record a 3-1 win on penalties and claim their first ever Arab Nations Cup.

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Fancy a Weekend Break in Libya?

Royal Air Maroc Resumes Flights to Libya

Those of you who have been hanging out for a weekend get away in Libya will be pleased to hear that Tripoli is now back on the tourist map.  Royal Air Maroc will its resume flights to Libya on November 21st.

On Thursday, Royal Air Maroc (RAM),announced it would resume its flights from Casablanca to Libya. This comes after the reopening of the Tripoli International Airport.

Tripoli International Airport

RAM says it would resume flights to Libya from the Mohamed V airport in Casablanca with three flights per week -- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.  Return flights to Tripoli from Casablanca were suspended for more than seven months because of the Libyan crisis.

A WEEKEND IN TRIPOLI

Tripoli is worth a visit, with several major attractions. High up the list is Tripoli's Jamahiriya Museum. Set in a castle in the centre of the city, the museum houses artifacts from as far back as 6000BC including cave paintings and rock carvings. The collection also has Punic, Greek and Roman statues and articles collected from sits around Libya but mostly from Leptis and Sabratha. The museum is well laid out and can take a whole morning to explore. The top floor, which is visited less frequently, deals with the Berber and Arab heritage and a few Ghaddafi trophies but is still worth a visit. Note: the museum is closed on Fridays.

Green square or Assaha al Khadra as the local taxi drivers know it, is always a busy place to visit , except on Friday mornings when it is perfect for photography. On other days the constant traffic can be a real problem.

Just off the Green Square you will find Tripoli's Medina. While it is not at all as well preserved as the other North African Medinas, it is worth a vist to check out the jewelry and gold souqs. Red Jasper is particularly fine here,

There are 38 mosques inside the Medina, and at last report they do not mind tourists entering them and even taking photos. There are also three working hammam and several good restaurants. Try the one in the old Clock Tower and the Tripolis Restaurant near the harbor on the second floor of a restored courtyard.

The Red Castle at night

Also off the Green Square, you will find the very well preserved and virtually intact, Assai al-Hamra - the Red Castle.

Further afield explore the Pottery Stalls of Gharyan. Gharyan is approximately one hour south of Tripoli. You will find a huge selection of local as well as Tunisian and Moroccan pottery for sale

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