Libya's General Authority for Hajj Affairs announced on Wednesday the start of travel by Libyan pilgrims from Makkah to Medina, in preparation for their return home.

The authority said in a post on its Facebook page that the flights for Libyan pilgrims to Medina began on Wednesday afternoon, while return flights to Libya will begin on Saturday.

A total of 34 return flights are scheduled from Saudi Arabia. Three flights are being scheduled per day until July 18, and will serve airports in Tripoli, Benghazi, Misrata, Tobruk and Sebha.