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Libya says airspace 'open,' airport functioning normally (Update 1)

© Photo : AJLTripoli International Airport
Tripoli International Airport  - Sputnik International
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Libyan airspace is open and the airport in Tripoli is working normally, the head of the country's aviation authorities said on Tuesday.

Libyan airspace is open and the airport in Tripoli is working normally, the head of the country's aviation authorities said on Tuesday.

"Tripoli International Airport is working normally and planes are taking off and landing normally," Mohamed abd as-Seid was quoted by the official Libyan news agency Jana as saying.

The official dismissed earlier reports that Libya had closed its airspace for civil aviation.

Russian Ambassador to Libya Vladimir Chamov said earlier on Tuesday Libyan authorities issued permission for Russian planes to land at Tripoli's airport to evacuate Russian nationals.

Russia is sending four airplanes to evacuate a total of 563 Russians from Libya. Most of them are employees of the Russian Railways monopoly and the Gazprom energy giant or families of Russian diplomats.

The first plane took off from the Ramenskoye Airport in the Moscow Region shortly after 4 p.m. Moscow time (13:00 GMT).

A source in Russia's Foreign Ministry said Moscow has "no plans" yet to evacuate its diplomats from the turbulent country.

Arab TV channels and western news agencies reported late on Monday that the Libyan Air Force bombed residential districts in the country's two largest cities, Tripoli and Benghazi. Libyan authorities denied the information.

According to international organizations, up to 500 people have been killed by government forces since protests against the country's longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi began on February 15.

CAIRO, February 22 (RIA Novosti) 

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