Why Did German Chancellor Merkel Phone Egypt’s Sisi? 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi received a phone call on Friday from Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel, according to Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Rady. 

“Both leaders exchanged views and opinions about a bulk of international and regional issues, most importantly the Libyan situation,” said Rady. 

Merkel expressed keenness on being notified by Sisi’s vision on the Libyan crisis’ developments amidst the vital role being played by Egypt. 

Egypt is currently chairing the African Union. 

In this context, Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s unchanged stance to the Libyan crisis. 

“Restoring state integrity and pillars of the national institutions in Libya is a must, in addition to ending chaos, criminal gangs and terrorist militias,” the Egyptian official noted. 

Moreover, Sisi and Merkel tackled bilateral relations between Cairo and Berlin. 

In September, Sisi and Merkel met on the sidelines of a UN Climate Action Summit. 

Libya, Sudan Top Sisi and Merkel Talks

Earlier in last April, both leaders had a smilier phone conversation as Merkel called the Egyptian president and discussed Libya and Sudan. 

Sisi asserted that Egypt is closely following up developments in Sudan, pointing out that his country backs the choices of the Sudanese people. The president also expressed his aspiration to continue to promote and develop the distinguished relations between the two countries at all levels.

Thus, Merkel expressed Berlin’s keenness on reaching a political solution to the Libyan crisis as part of a dialogue among the Libyan parties and stressed the importance of stepping up efforts to end the crisis in Libya.

Libya has been struggling to make a democratic transition amid insecurity and chaos ever since the fall of former leader Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011.

A US official said on Thursday: “The Government of National Accord’s delegation expressed grave concerns regarding the security situation and its effect on the civilian population.

“The United States calls on the Libyan National Army to end its offensive on Tripoli. This will facilitate further US-Libya cooperation to prevent undue foreign interference, reinforce legitimate state authority, and address the issues underlying the conflict.

The US delegation, representing a number of US government agencies, underscored support for Libya’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s attempts to exploit the conflict against the will of the Libyan people.”