Egypt and Libya yesterday the restrictions imposed two weeks ago on travellers crossing their common desert frontier, border authorities said.

From January 9, Libya required Egyptians to obtain visas, work permits or furnish proof that they were carrying $350. Egypt took similar measures.

The officer in charge at Salloum border crossing, General Musa`ad Hassan told the Middle East News Agency (MENA): The cancellation of restrictions that were imposed January 9 was the decision by officials of both countries.

The Egyptian and Libyan authorities decided to reinstate procedures that were in place before 9 January, said an official, who asked not to be named.

The move followed a meeting between a high-level Egyptian delegation with Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli on Wednesday, although many of the restrictions had already been eased in the last week.

Following the meeting, Information Minister Safwat al-Sherif said that travelling procedures were perhaps misunderstood by some officials on both sides of the border.