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Libyan airline suspends flights after hotel killings

Published: 29 Jan 2015 - 05:06 pm | Last Updated: 17 Jan 2022 - 02:54 pm

 

Tripoli--A Libyan airline announced Thursday it was suspending flights after four of its aircrew, including a French captain, were killed when gunmen stormed a Tripoli hotel this week.

Al-Buraq Airlines, a private carrier that operates domestic and international flights, announced a "brief suspension" and paid tribute to the staff, who were among nine killed in Tuesday's attack on the luxury Corinthia Hotel claimed by jihadists.

A security source initially said an American, two Filipinas and a South Korean were killed along with the Frenchman and four Libyans.

However, an Islamist-led militia coalition that controls the capital identified the four foreign crew as the French pilot and three Kyrgyz nationals -- the copilot and two air hostesses.

Western airlines have halted flights to conflict-wracked Libya, which is now served only by Egyptian, Jordanian and Tunisian carriers.

AFP