Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries and militias from Libya, without exception.
This came during a joint press conference with his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani, at the Ittihadiya Palace, Cairo.
Last month, El-Sisi called for a joint Arab action to resolve the crisis in Libya and other Arab war-torn countries. During his speech at the Arab summit held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, El-Sisi confirmed the necessity to stop foreign interference to end the suffering of the people in Libya, Sudan and Yemen.
“Relying on integration between us (Arab countries) is a duty and responsibility, and we should apply the concept of joint Arab action to be extended to global issues,” he added.
Earlier, El-Sisi held talks with Italian Defence Minister, Guido Crosetto, in Cairo. They focused on strengthening military cooperation, in addition to the latest regional developments, especially with regard to the ongoing crisis in Libya.
The two agreed on the importance of pursuing “political solutions for various regional crises within the framework of protecting states’ unity, and the safety of lands.”
As for the Libyan file, El-Sisi stressed the need to “meet the Libyan people’s aspirations for restoring security and stability, and moving ahead toward the development and prosperity of their country.”
He also reiterated Egypt’s “firm stance to help create the required climate for holding Libya’s presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously.”
In turn, Crosetto stressed that Rome is “working for the stability of Libya, and to end the flow of migrants to European countries, especially Italy.”
Relations between Cairo and Libya’s Government of National Unity (GNU) witnessed clear tension, after the eastern-based Parliament assigned a rival government headed by ousted Prime Minister Fathi Bashagha.
In September 2022, an Egyptian delegation headed by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry withdrew from the inaugural session of the Arab League Council at the level of Foreig Ministers. They withdrew in protest against the presidency of the GNU’s Foreign Minister, Najlaa al-Mangoush, for the League’s 158th session.
However, Al-Mangoush and Shoukry held side talks during a session for the Council of the Arab League at the level of Arab Foreign Ministers.
It seems that Cairo and the Tripoli-based government are seeking to break the political deadlock relations between them, especially after a high-level delegation visited the Libyan capital recently.
The delegation, which included high-ranking officials in the Egyptian General Intelligence, discussed joint economic and investment cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
