Egypt's Shoukry, UN Envoy Meet in Cairo to Discuss Libyan File

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Sameh Shoukri received the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General of the United Nations and Head of the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL), Abdoulaye Bathily, on Monday.

The Spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Minister, Ahmed Abu Zeid said Shoukry has expressed Cairo’s full support for restoring stability in Libya. He confirmed the centrality and impartiality of the role of the United Nations, which makes it gain the confidence of the parties inside Libya and in the international community.

Shoukry briefed Bathily on Cairo’s continuous efforts to resolve the crisis. Egypt has hosted rounds of the constitutional track between the Libyan rival chambers of House of Representatives and the High Council of State.

The Egyptian FM affirmed the need to hold presidential and parliamentarian elections simultaneously in Libya in order to end the crisis and achieve the aspirations of the Libyan people. “The solution should be Libyan-Libyan, and that the elected legislative institution (parliament) should be respected,” Shoukry said.

Shoukry also stressed the need to implement the UN and international decisions regarding the exit of all foreign forces, mercenaries, and foreign fighters from Libya within a specific time. He underlined the importance of supporting the mission of the Libya’s 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC).

On his part, Bathily expressed his aspiration to coordinate with Egypt during the coming period.

He has agreed with Shoukry to intensify work towards advancing the Libyan-Libyan political solution in order to achieve security, stability and prosperity in Libya.

Last month, Shoukry and his Greek counterpart Nikos Dendias expressed their deep rejection for the Libyan-Turkish energy deal. During a joint press conference in Cairo, the two top diplomats accused Turkey of exploiting “the turbulent situation in Libya to further destabilize security in the Mediterranean region, and establish a regional hegemony.”

Shoukry and Dendias said that the “outgoing” Government of National Unity (GNU) in Tripoli has been illegitimate since 24 December, and has no right to sign international agreements.