Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said on Monday that Egypt and Algeria have pledged to continue coordinating to restore stability, security, and safety to war-torn Libya.
Shoukry’s statements came during talks with his Algerian counterpart Ramtane Lamamra, which took place on the sidelines of a ministerial meeting for countries neighboring Libya.
The meetings, which are being held on Monday and Tuesday in Algeria, seek to assist Libya in continuing on the path of political reconciliation and eventual elections, which will take place on December 24.
The foreign ministers of Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Sudan, Niger, Chad and Congo all attended the meetings, along with the Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul-Gheit, the African Union Commissioner for Political, Peace and Security, Bankole Adeoye, and the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations to Libya, Jan Kubis.
Aboul-Gheit stressed that the exit of foreign mercenaries forces from Libyan lands is essential for success in maintaining Libya’s independence and preserving its territorial integrity.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister praised Egypt and Algeria’s relations and expressed his thanks for the Libya Neighborhood Committee in aiding the country’s rebuilding in accordance with Security Council resolutions and the outcomes of the Libyan Dialogue Forum, as well as the Berlin Conferences.
He explained that all neighboring countries have been affected by the civil war and seek to restore order for and preserve the sovereignty of the Libyan people.
Shoukry expressed his hope that this meeting and future meetings will lead an end of the current crisis and the restoration of Libya’s role among Arab, African, and regional countries.
Libya’s opposing parties agreed in February to create an interim government under the auspices of the United Nations, which will govern the country until the December elections.
Edited translation from Al-Masry Al-Youm
