Egyptian Foreign Ministry Spokesman, Ahmed Abu Zeid, has confirmed that Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan have issued directives aimed at fully restoring diplomatic relations.
Abu Zeid stated that these directives “came on the heels of an understanding achieved between Cairo and Ankara, encompassing all matters pertinent to each party’s regional interests.”
He highlighted the “bilateral talks’ transparency and lucidity, with Egypt vocalising its vision for regional stability and its proposed resolutions for the conditions in Libya.”
The Spokesman further clarified that “Egypt and Turkey share a common interest in enhancing Libya’s stability. This is envisaged to be accomplished by supporting the forthcoming Presidential and legislative elections in Libya. “
Abu Zeid reinforced Egypt’s “unambiguous position of non-intervention, the rejection of foreign forces in any form, and the call for imminent electoral obligations to form an elected government.”
The unfolding developments mark a significant stride in international diplomacy, as Cairo and Ankara’s improved relations and shared stance on Libya could play a crucial role in fostering regional stability, and equitable power dynamics.
Libya has been engulfed in political turmoil and conflict since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 that toppled long-time leader, Muammar Gaddafi.
Over the past decade, the escalating conflict in Libya has attracted numerous actors, both regional and global, with vested interests. Egypt and Turkey are two of the major regional actors that have taken different sides in the conflict.
In recent times, significant efforts have been made to end the Libyan crisis. A breakthrough came in October 2020, when a ceasefire agreement was signed between the warring Libyan factions. This led to the establishment of a temporary unified government, tasked with steering the country toward national elections, initially slated for December 2021.
However, the complex web of foreign interests in Libya, coupled with deep-seated local divisions, has often complicated these peace efforts. Egypt and Turkey, in particular, have long-held strained relations due to divergent geopolitical strategies and ideological differences.
Therefore, the recent announcement about restoring diplomatic relations and fostering joint efforts to bolster Libya’s stability is a significant development, that may potentially reshape the dynamics of the Libyan peace process. It also signifies an important step towards regional cooperation, with potential implications for the broader Middle Eastern and North African geopolitics.
