Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty reiterated Cairo’s unwavering position on Libya during a high-level meeting with his Greek counterpart, Giorgos Gerapetritis, on the sidelines of the 80th United Nations General Assembly in New York.
During the talks, Abdelatty stressed Egypt’s firm position on safeguarding Libya’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity. He underlined that any foreign interference undermines national reconciliation and prolongs instability, calling for Libya to chart its future independently and free of external dictates.
Central to Abdelatty’s message was the urgent withdrawal of foreign troops, mercenaries, and foreign fighters from Libyan soil. This, he said, is a prerequisite for restoring full state authority and creating the conditions for peace and stability.
The Egyptian foreign minister also reaffirmed Cairo’s unwavering support for a Libyan-led political solution, emphasizing that imposed settlements will not succeed. He called for building broad-based national consensus and ensuring that presidential and parliamentary elections take place simultaneously. According to Abdelatty, this approach is key to ending years of political transition and achieving the aspirations of the Libyan people for peace, stability, and development.
For his part, Gerapetritis echoed the importance of stability in Libya, noting that Athens shares Cairo’s concerns about the destabilizing effects of continued division and foreign meddling. Both ministers agreed that a unified and sovereign Libya is vital not only for its own citizens but also for the security of the Mediterranean region as a whole.
The two sides also discussed ways to intensify international coordination to support Libya’s institutions in preparing for elections and in protecting its borders against terrorism, arms trafficking, and irregular migration.