The Chairman of the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Committee of the Libyan House of Representatives, Yousef Al-Agouri, held a meeting with the Consul of the Arab Republic of Egypt in Benghazi, Mohamed El-Sayed Arafa. The meeting focused on discussing issues of mutual interest, including the exchange of prisoners between the two nations.
During the talks, Al-Agouri emphasized the deep historical ties between Libya and Egypt, highlighting the importance of fostering cooperation to strengthen relations in various fields. He expressed a commitment to initiatives that would bring prosperity and stability to both the Libyan and Egyptian people.
The discussions also covered facilitating travel procedures for Libyan citizens visiting Egypt, monitoring the conditions of the Libyan diaspora in Egypt, and advancing efforts to repatriate Libyan prisoners to serve their sentences in Libya.
For his part, the Egyptian Consul outlined his country’s perspectives on key topics, including travel arrangements for Libyan citizens and the logistical framework for prisoner exchanges. Arafa expressed his appreciation for visiting the Libyan House of Representatives and reiterated Egypt’s commitment to bolstering bilateral relations across all sectors.
Both sides agreed to continue coordinating efforts to enhance joint collaboration, focusing on initiatives that benefit the shared interests of their nations and contribute to regional stability and development.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.
