Cairo Brings Views of Libyan Parties Closer

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
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Cairo Brings Views of Libyan Parties Closer

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool

Egypt has sought to bring the views of Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar closer through a meeting held in Cairo Wednesday.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Saleh and Haftar.

“During the talks, Sisi was briefed on developments in Libya and the efforts of all parties to implement a ceasefire on the one hand, and on the Libyan efforts to promote the peace process under the auspices of the United Nations on the other,” Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Saleh has not commented on a “surprise agreement” struck between Haftar and Ahmed Maiteeq, the vice-president of the Libyan Presidential Council, on the resumption of oil production after a nine-month hiatus.

Although Haftar didn’t express support to the initiative launched by Saleh to resolve the Libyan crisis, he reiterated keenness on adhering to the legitimacy of the house of representatives.

In a statement, he described Wednesday’s meeting as important, noting that it discussed political developments in Libya.

Egypt is committed to helping Libyans “rid their country of armed militias and terrorist organizations, and put an end to the blatant interference of some regional parties,” Radi said.

Sisi urged all parties to the Libyan conflict to return to the political process with the aim of restoring peace, security, and stability.

Head of the Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj stated that he met on Wednesday the leader of the High Council of State, Khaled al-Mishri.

They affirmed the importance of committing to a ceasefire and halting all fighting on Libyan territories.

In a related context, the LNA called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to assume responsibility towards the secret detention centers ran by militias backing the GNA.

The LNA noted that these camps are located near UNSMIL’s headquarters.

LNA’s Brigadier General Khalid Al-Mahjoub said that the residents of Tripoli have fallen victim to the worst forms of torture committed by the militias and extremist organizations that control large swaths of the capital.



France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
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France Declines to Comment on Algeria’s Anger over Recognition of Morocco’s Claim over Sahara

French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)
French President Emmanuel Macron and Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. (AFP file)

Paris declined to comment on Algeria’s “strong condemnation” of the French government’s decision to recognize Morocco’s claim over the Sahara.

The office of the French Foreign Ministry refused to respond to an AFP request for a comment on the Algeria’s stance.

It did say that further comments could impact the trip Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune is set to make to France in late September or early October.

The visit has been postponed on numerous occasions over disagreements between the two countries.

France had explicitly expressed its constant and clear support for the autonomy rule proposal over the Sahara during Foreign Minister Stephane Sejourne’s visit to Morocco in February, reported AFP.

The position has helped improve ties between Rabat and Paris.

On Thursday, the Algerian Foreign Ministry expressed “great regret and strong denunciation" about the French government's decision to recognize an autonomy plan for the Western Sahara region "within Moroccan sovereignty”.

Algeria was informed of the decision by France in recent days, an Algerian foreign ministry statement added.

The ministry also said Algeria would draw all the consequences from the decision and hold the French government alone completely responsible.