On Monday, Egypt President, Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi held a telephone call with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron to discuss the latest developments in Libya.
The two discussed the ongoing preparations for the international conference on Libya, which is scheduled to be hosted by France on 12 November.
President Macron expressed his keenness to enhance consultations with President El-Sisi on Libya, especially in light of the great efforts being exerted by Cairo towards settling the crisis.
He stressed that Egypt has a pivotal role in establishing security and stability in Libya, stressing the keenness of France to continue intensive bilateral cooperation and coordination.
In turn, Egypt President El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s supportive position on Libya, vowing to continue efforts to settle the military, political, and economic issues.
The two leaders agreed to support the current political track leading to elections slated for 24 December. They also emphasised the need for all foreign forces and mercenaries to withdraw from Libya, and to end all foreign intervention that has contributed to fueling the crisis.
It is expected that the Paris Conference on Libya will be held with the participation of representatives of the Libyan government, and the attendees of the Berlin Conferences. The countries neighbouring Libya are also invited to this event.
The conference will be chaired by French President, Emmanuel Macron. German Chancellor, Angela Merkel and United States Vice President, Kamala Harris have confirmed their attendance.
Earlier, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said that one of the items on the agenda will be to discuss the Libyan authorities’ plan to expel foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya.
In his speech during the Libya Stabilisation Conference in Tripoli in October, Le Drian said, “the Summit, organised with the United Nations, Germany, and Italy in Paris for 12 November, will gather regional and international Heads of State. It will provide the last international impetus needed in support of the elections at the end of the year and endorse the Libyan plan for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries and support its implementation, to put an end to foreign interference.”
The hope is that the international conference will help rival Libyan parties find common ground, given the recent wrangling which has cast doubts over the viability of December’s Presidential elections.
The conference comes ahead of the planned Presidential and Parliamentary elections, which are scheduled for 24 December.