Johnson, Sisi Agree to intensify Efforts to Reach Political Settlement in Libya
Johnson the British Prime Minister on Wednesday December 18th agreed, during a phone call with Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, on the need to intensify efforts to reach a political settlement in Libya, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.
The two leaders affirmed the need for a political solution that would help to achieve security and stability, combat terrorist groups, and restore the concept of a national state, the presidency added.
They also agreed to work on thwarting foreign interventions in Libya and and limit their repercussions.
A statement issued by the spokesperson for the Egyptian Presidency of the Republic of Bassam Rady said that during the call, “the developments of a number of the most important regional issues were discussed, particularly the situation in Libya, where it was agreed to intensify joint efforts to reach a comprehensive political solution that achieves stability and security and fights Terrorist groups, and restore the concept of the national state, as well as work to undermine external interference and reduce its negative repercussions on the Libyan issue. “
Radi indicated that Sisi “congratulated the British Prime Minister Johnson on the occasion of the great victory of the Conservative Party and its victory in the general elections in Britain.”
According to the statement, Sisi and Johnson touched on the “positive development” witnessed recently by bilateral relations between Egypt and Britain, especially after the recent decision of the British government to resume direct British flights to Sharm El Sheikh airport.
HE POINTED OUT THAT AL-SISI EXPRESSED “THE ASPIRATION FOR THE COMING PERIOD TO WITNESS FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF BILATERAL RELATIONS BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES AND TO CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE COOPERATION FRAMEWORKS IN VARIOUS FIELDS, ESPECIALLY ECONOMIC, POLITICAL, SECURITY AND TOURISM, AS WELL AS POLITICAL CONSULTATION AND COORDINATION ON REGIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ISSUES.”
The Spokesman added that the contact witnessed discussions on all topics of bilateral relations between the two countries, and ways to support them at all levels.
The situation in Libya has witnessed escalating developments recently, after the Libyan government of reconciliation led by Fayez al-Sarraj announced the signing of an agreement for security cooperation with Turkey, an agreement that Egypt and Greece reject, in addition to a number of countries.
The Libyan army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, announced, on the fourth of last April, the launching of an operation to eliminate what he described as “terrorism” in the capital, Tripoli, in which the internationally-recognized Al-Wefaq government headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, who had declared a “state of alienation”, was present. To counter these moves, Haftar accused the coup against the 2015 political agreement.
Since the Skhirat Agreement was reached in 2015, Libya has suffered a sharp division in state institutions, between the East which is run by the House of Representatives and the army led by Haftar, while the Presidential Council of the Wefaq Government headed by al-Sarraj runs the western part of the country, which is the internationally recognized government, but it did not gain confidence Parliament.
