Egypt’s FM: Libya’s Neighbours To Meet In Khartoum

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry announced that the foreign ministers of Libya’s neighbouring states will meet in Khartoum on Thursday, as part of Egypt’s efforts to support the war-torn North African country, Al-Ahram’s Arabic news website reported on Sunday.

After a meeting with his Libyan counterpart Mohammed Al-Dairi, Shoukry said that the meeting in the Sudanese capital will discuss means for providing support to Libya through countering radical groups, in addition to finding an international approach that supports the stability of Libya and preserves its territorial integrity.

Shoukry denied any existing arrangements to launch political dialogue between Libyan factions during the ministerial meeting in Khartoum.

In the past six weeks, Libya has witnessed clashes between pro-government forces and Islamist groups in Libya’s second-largest city Benghazi, resulting in the killing of around 400 people, as Reuters reported on Saturday.

The newly formed government army launched an attack against Islamists in Benghazi in October to expel them from the airport and several camps the army had originally lost during the summer.

Shoukry stressed the importance of all parties reaching a consensus on the future of Libya in a legitimate context endorsed by elections that reflect the country’s current political equation. He also called on the international community to support the legitimacy of the Libyan House of Representatives and its government.

For his part, the Libyan foreign minister said his mission in Cairo and his meeting with Shoukry are part of ongoing consultations between the two countries, while praising Egypt’s official and popular efforts to support his country.

He underscored his country’s support to Egypt’s security and stability, stressing that Egypt plays a pivotal role, not only towards Libya but also to the Arab world.

Source : AHram online