Shoukry Discusses Libyan File with Libyan Counterpart over Phone

On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held a telephone conversation with his Libyan counterpart of the Government of National Accord, Mohamed Siala, during which they discussed the Libyan file and ways  of enhancing stability in the country.

In a statement, spokesman for the GNA foreign ministry, , Muhammad Al-Qiblawi, said that Shoukry, during the talks, praised the generous hospitality and warm welcome during the visit of Egyptian delegation in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Sunday, hoping that the visit will be a serious step in pushing forward cooperation ties between the two sides.

The phone talks come a day after an Egyptian delegation headed by the General Intelligence Service Undersecretary and included the Assistant Foreign Minister, in addition to a number of security officials, made a visit to Tripoli.

They held a meeting with a number of Libyan officials, including the GNA Minister of the Interior, Fathi Bashagha, and Foreign Minister, Mohamed Taher Siala, to discuss common security challenges and ways to enhance security cooperation between the two countries.

They also discussed ways to support the ceasefire agreement and the 5 + 5 committee’s findings in order to support international efforts on political dialogue and to get out of the current crisis by political and peaceful means, according to the statement.

“The Egyptian delegation promised the Libyan side to reopen the Egypt`s embassy in Tripoli as soon as possible. They also agreed on the need to develop urgent solutions to resume Libyan flights to Cairo,” said the Libyan GNA Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammed al-Qiblawi.

Al-Qiblawi denied that the Egyptian delegation had presented any conditions to the Libyan side. He added: “The purpose of the visit was to address work to restore normal diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two countries in several fields.”

On his part, the GNA Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha said on Twitter: “The meetings were fruitful and constructive, during which we reviewed ways to strengthen joint security and intelligence in a way that preserves the interests of the two countries and the region from the threat of terrorism and organized crime.” He described relations with Cairo as “very important.”