Libya Receives First Shipment Of Russian Made COVID-19 Vaccine

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Libya has received its first shipment of vaccines against COVID-19, with 101,250 doses from Russia, the Health Ministry said on Sunday.

The Sputnik doses arrived in the capital Tripoli and will be stored in the Health Ministry’s warehouses, the ministry added, according to Libya’s official news agency LNA.

No date has been given for when the vaccination will begin.

Libya’s Interim Prime Minister, Abdul-Hamid Mohammed Dbeibeh, said that more vaccine shipments would follow.

Dbeibeh called on the public to register in order to receive a jab.

So far, the Libyan health authorities have reported a total of 161,088 virus cases and 2,684 related deaths.

In March, a transitional unity government took office in Libya, a major step towards re-establishing stability in the country that has been roiled by conflict for a decade.

The interim government is tasked with preparing for national elections, scheduled for Dec. 24.

This government has replaced the UN-backed Government of National Accord, which has been in charge of Tripoli and western areas, alongside the competing eastern administration linked with warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Libya has been in turmoil since long-time ruler, Muammar Gaddafi, was toppled in 2011.

The oil-rich country has become a proxy battleground for rival forces and foreign powers. (NAN)