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First Boeing delivery to Libya in 25 years

TRIPOLI, Libya, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- In a fresh sign of improving U.S.-Libya relations, a Libyan air company has received a new Boeing airplane, the first to be delivered to Libya in 25 years.

Boeing delivered the new 737-800 to the private "al-Barrak" airline company as part of a deal concluded last February. The company ordered six planes from Boeing at a total cost of $336 million.

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Company director Mohammed Abu Baida said Tuesday another Boeing 737-800 is expected to be delivered within the next two weeks.

Speaking at a function to mark the first Boeing delivery, Abu Baida said the company's expansion of its fleet will help improve its services inside Libya and on international routes.

He said the company decided to name the new aircraft after the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the second after the country's second-largest city, Benghazi.

Al-Barrak said earlier that it is considering the possibility of introducing direct flights between Libya and the United States.

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