Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
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Libya's Speaker, Greek FM Discuss Activating Cairo Initiative

Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)
Speaker of the eastern-based Libyan Parliament Aguila Saleh with Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias (Greek Foreign Ministry)

The speaker of the eastern-based Libyan parliament, Aguila Saleh, received Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias and discussed the repercussions of the Libyan crisis and bilateral relations.

Saleh's adviser Hamid al-Safi indicated that the meeting addressed the relations between the two countries, the situation in Libya and the region, and ways to end the Libyan crisis.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdul-Hadi al-Hawaij, as well as Dendias’ accompanying delegation.

The two sides also discussed Aguila’s recent initiative to form a new presidential council, consisting of a president and two deputies from the three historical regions of Libya.

Safi explained that Greece is pushing towards the implementation of the “Cairo initiative,” stressing Libya's right to defend itself against any invasion targeting its territory and sovereignty.

The Libyan official pointed out that Greece stresses that the international law and international maritime law are the only references to resolve disputes with Turkey and delineate maritime areas in the Mediterranean.

He criticized the unconstitutional agreement concluded between head of the Government of National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the demarcation of the maritime border between the two countries.

The Greek FM welcomed the Cairo initiative, adding that his country supports any political solution to end the crisis in Libya.

Dendias renewed his country's condemnation of the Turkish invasion, stressing that the presence of foreign forces in Libya violates international laws and will hinder any possible solution.

He expressed his firm belief that there is an opportunity for a solution to the crisis after all foreign forces left Libyan territories, especially Turkey.

The Greek FM stated that the agreement between Sarraj and Erdogan is “void” because it was not approved by the parliament, as the only recognized legislative authority in Libya.

The meeting also discussed the depth of historical relations between the two countries and concluded with an agreement to establish a Greek consulate in Libya, according to Safi.

The Greek Foreign Ministry issued a statement noting that the visit is an opportunity to agree on dealing with the Libyan crisis, based on “the Berlin Process and also the very interesting initiative from Egyptian President el-Sisi.”

“Aguila Saleh and I agreed that Libya’s future requires the withdrawal of all foreign forces. This is a necessary condition for peace and stability,” according to the statement.

The statement also stressed that Turkey has historical responsibilities for what is happening in Libya, noting that importing mercenaries from Syria and the violation of the arms embargo are elements that weigh on the Turkish stance.

The two also discussed “the possibility for a Greek Consulate to operate in Benghazi, which would facilitate trade transactions,” according to the statement that also pointed out Libya's will to replace Turkish products with other goods that come from Europe, especially Greece.

Greek diplomatic sources pointed out that the visit was part of Athens' continuous efforts to contribute to the ceasefire and find a political solution in Libya, within the framework of the United Nations Security Council and the Berlin conference.



Tunisia Activists Launch Gaza-bound Convoy in 'Symbolic Act'

 Tunisians gather at a meeting point in Tunis on June 9, 2025, ahead of the departure of a land convoy named “Steadfastness” to break the siege on Gaza. (AFP)
Tunisians gather at a meeting point in Tunis on June 9, 2025, ahead of the departure of a land convoy named “Steadfastness” to break the siege on Gaza. (AFP)
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Tunisia Activists Launch Gaza-bound Convoy in 'Symbolic Act'

 Tunisians gather at a meeting point in Tunis on June 9, 2025, ahead of the departure of a land convoy named “Steadfastness” to break the siege on Gaza. (AFP)
Tunisians gather at a meeting point in Tunis on June 9, 2025, ahead of the departure of a land convoy named “Steadfastness” to break the siege on Gaza. (AFP)

Hundreds of people, mainly Tunisians, launched on Monday a land convoy bound for Gaza, seeking to "break the siege" on the Palestinian territory, activists said.

Organizers said the nine-bus convoy was not bringing aid into Gaza, but rather aimed at carrying out a "symbolic act" by breaking the blockade on the territory described by the United Nations as "the hungriest place on Earth".

The "Soumoud" convoy, meaning "steadfastness" in Arabic, includes doctors and aims to arrive in Rafah, in southern Gaza, "by the end of the week", activist Jawaher Channa told AFP.

It is set to pass through Libya and Egypt, although Cairo has yet to provide passage permits, she added.

"We are about a thousand people, and we will have more join us along the way," said Channa, spokeswoman of the Tunisian Coordination of Joint Action for Palestine, the group organizing the caravan.

"Egypt has not yet given us permission to cross its borders, but we will see what happens when we get there," she said.

Channa said the convoy was not set to face issues crossing Libya, "whose people have historically supported the Palestinian cause", despite recent deadly clashes in the country that remains divided between two governments.

Algerian, Mauritanian, Moroccan and Libyan activists were also among the group, which is set to travel along the Tunisian and Libyan coasts, before continuing on to Rafah through Egypt.

After 21 months of war, Israel is facing mounting international pressure to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate widespread shortages of food and basic supplies.

On June 1, the Madleen aid boat, boarded by activists including Swedish climate campaigner Greta Thunberg and European parliament member Franco-Palestinian Rima Hassan, set sail for Gaza from Italy.

But on Monday morning Israel intercepted it, preventing it from reaching the Palestinian territory.

The UN has warned that the Palestinian territory's entire population is at risk of famine.