DUBAI // Emiratis have been urged by the foreign ministry not to travel to Libya for hunting trips because of the country's unstable security situation.
The warning has been issued as part of the government's keenness to guarantee the safety of its citizens, according to Issa Abdullah Al Kalbani, the director of the Department of Citizens Affairs at the Foreign Ministry.
Local tour guides confirm Emiratis and other GCC residents have travelled to the North African state to hunt in the aftermath of the revolution.
According to Ibrahim Al Ousta from Libyan tour operators Sherwes Travel desert tours have been banned by the government since the Libyan revolution started.
"No security clearances are provided for tourists to go on trips to the Libyan Desert for hunting or any other activity," said Mr Al Ousta.
"The security situation has been unstable there."
Libyans, however, can easily access these areas and go on hunting trips, he added.
"Many Emirati, Kuwaiti and especially Qatari tourists fly out for hunting trips that are arranged unofficially," he said.
"The situation is not good because of armed gangs and the problems in Northern Mali.
"That area is an open desert between Libya, Mali, Niger and Algeria."
Despite warnings about the desert areas, Mr Al Ousta said he believed the coast was safe. Libya's coastline extends 1,770km from Tunisia to Egypt.
"From Jumayl to Musaid that coastline area is totally accessible and tourists are advised to go there for fishing instead," he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, meanwhile, has stressed the importance of registering the intention to travel abroad at the ministry's online "Tawajudi" service.
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
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The specs
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Champions League quarter-final, first leg
Ajax v Juventus, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
Match on BeIN Sports
THREE
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'The Batman'
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Rating: 5/5
Empty Words
By Mario Levrero
(Coffee House Press)
What is graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged like honeycomb.
It was discovered in 2004, when Russian-born Manchester scientists Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov were "playing about" with sticky tape and graphite - the material used as "lead" in pencils.
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But the 'sticky tape' method would not work on an industrial scale. Since then, scientists have been working on manufacturing graphene, to make use of its incredible properties.
In 2010, Geim and Novoselov were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics. Their discovery meant physicists could study a new class of two-dimensional materials with unique properties.
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Our legal consultant
Name: Dr Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Biography
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Favourite book: Flashes of Thought by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
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Honeymoonish
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The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
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The specs: Aston Martin DB11 V8 vs Ferrari GTC4Lusso T
Price, base: Dh840,000; Dh120,000
Engine: 4.0L V8 twin-turbo; 3.9L V8 turbo
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic; seven-speed automatic
Power: 509hp @ 6,000rpm; 601hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 695Nm @ 2,000rpm; 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 9.9L / 100km; 11.6L / 100km
World Cricket League Division 2
In Windhoek, Namibia - Top two teams qualify for the World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, which starts on March 4.
UAE fixtures
Thursday February 8, v Kenya; Friday February 9, v Canada; Sunday February 11, v Nepal; Monday February 12, v Oman; Wednesday February 14, v Namibia; Thursday February 15, final