By Tamim Elyan
CAIRO: A group of doctors heading to Libya as part of an aid convoy were stopped at the Salloum crossing in Marsa Matrouh by military officers, who only allowed the aid through, Maged Ahmed, coordinator of “Egyptians Supporting Libya” campaign, told Daily News Egypt.
A convoy of three cars carrying aid and LE 500,000 in donations was allowed into Libya, however 15 doctors were prevented, he said.
The doctors are now staging a sit-in at the border, Ahmed said.
A number of aid convoys were set to reach Libya Monday from Salloum crossing in Marsa Matrouh carrying medical aid and surgery tools as organizers reported concerns of threats targeting volunteers crossing into Libya.
Three convoys headed Sunday from Cairo, Alexandria and Daqahleya governorates towards Libyan borders and two others were set to depart Monday from Nasr City; however, Ahmed said they want to keep their arrival time secret because they received threats targeting accompanying volunteers.
“We are sending medical aid in coordination with the Arab Doctors’ Union and Arab tribes near the borders to transport the aid into Libya and food supplies are secured by Marsa Matrouh citizens,” he said.
“We knew from doctors there that the injured die waiting outside hospitals and the death toll is very high, we can’t sit and watch our Arab brothers dying,” he added.
The aid includes antibiotics, blood donations, pain killers and anesthetics; however, according to Ahmed, there is a shortage of doctors there because the majority of doctors were foreigners who fled the country.
The Doctors’ Syndicate was set to send Monday a medical convoy of doctors from various specializations and medical aids.
Khaled Salah, coordinator of “The popular convoy to aid Libyan people” said they agreed on the materials needed with doctors in Libya and that they received more than 1,000 calls from people offering help.
The convoy is set to depart to Libya on Wednesday from Tahrir Square.
“There are volunteers accompanying the convoy to ensure they reach their destination and to donate blood if needed,” Salah said.
Aid is received at the headquarters of the Lawyers’ Syndicate in Marsa Matrouh and is delivered to Arab tribes in Salloum who coordinate its transport to Libya.
“We have a lot of lawyers in the syndicate working on this issue and coordinating the arrival of aid,” said Adel Al-Abd, board member of the syndicate.
For donations to “Egyptians supporting Libya” convoy call: 0111998888.
