On Thursday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty hosted Stephanie Khoury, the Acting Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), during her visit to Cairo to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at resolving Libya’s prolonged crisis.
The meeting underscored Egypt’s steadfast commitment to fostering a Libyan-owned and Libyan-led resolution that prioritizes unity, stability, and the withdrawal of foreign forces.
During the discussions, Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s dedication to helping Libyan parties reach consensus and overcome political deadlock. He stressed the importance of holding synchronized presidential and parliamentary elections to establish legitimate governance and rebuild trust among Libya’s divided factions. “Egypt is fully committed to supporting the Libyan people in achieving peace and stability while safeguarding their sovereignty and institutions,” the Egyptian minister affirmed.
He also highlighted the urgent need to implement a clear timeline for the withdrawal of all foreign forces, mercenaries, and fighters from Libyan territory. This step, he explained, is critical to preserving Libya’s territorial integrity and ensuring long-term stability. His remarks align with ongoing international efforts to address foreign interference, which has exacerbated divisions and prolonged the country’s crisis.
Stephanie Khoury’s visit to Cairo comes at a pivotal moment in Libya’s political trajectory. Over a decade after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi, Libya continues to face deep divisions between rival administrations in the east and west, with ongoing challenges in achieving a unified political framework. Despite international agreements such as the 2020 ceasefire and the Berlin Process, progress has been slow due to disputes over election frameworks, security arrangements, and external meddling.
While Libya’s path to stability remains fraught with challenges, the involvement of regional powers like Egypt and international organizations like the United Nations offers hope for progress. Khoury’s engagement with Egypt highlights the importance of partnerships between regional and global stakeholders in addressing Libya’s complex crisis.
