Government of National Unity Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dabaiba announced on Wednesday evening the return of telecommunications and Internet services to Derna and the eastern region after activating alternative routes for fiber optic cables.

Dabaiba said on his Facebook page: "The efforts of the crisis field team succeed in restoring telecommunications and internet services to the city of Derna and the eastern region, after the re-implementation of new routes for fiber optic cables for the communications infrastructure."

Wtv's correspondent in Derna confirmed the return of communications and the internet service after a blackout of more than 36 hours.

The Libyan Telecommunications Holding Company said on Tuesday that the service cut off was likely due to a "sabotage operation".