Egypt, Tunisia Assert Support to Libyan People

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied at al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied at al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egypt, Tunisia Assert Support to Libyan People

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied at al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied at al-Ittihadiya Palace in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi received Tunisian President Kais Saied at al-Ittihadiya Palace where the two discussed bilateral ties as well as the political situation in Libya.

Presidency spokesman Ambassador Bassam Rady said that the two presidents discussed the latest developments in Libya and stressed the need to intensify joint coordination, especialy that Egypt and Tunisia are two neighboring countries that share borders with Libya.

The two presidents also welcomed the formation of the new Libyan executive authority and affirmed their keenness to support the brotherly Libyan people and consolidate peace and stability.

In a joint press conference, Sisi said the talks asserted the need to activate the Arab role in the Libyan crisis.

He confirmed readiness to provide all forms of support to the new authority, enabling it to perform its role in managing the transitional phase and holding elections at the end of the year.

Sisi also clarified that he discussed with Saeed the necessity of ending foreign interference in Libya, calling for the departure of all foreign forces, mercenaries, and terrorists.

Speaking at the press conference, Saied stressed Tunisia's keenness to activate cooperation frameworks and mechanisms of consultation and coordination with Egypt at all levels, pertaining to bilateral or regional and international issues of common interest.

Saied said that “Egypt's national security is our security, and Egypt's position in any international forum will be our position,” asserting his support to achieving stability and security in Libya.

Meanwhile, the head of Libya's Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi asserted that his country will continue to protect its mutual interests with Turkey.

Menfi said a high-level government delegation will head to Turkey on Sunday for a two-day official visit to discuss bilateral agreements and to boost cooperation in various fields.

Menfi was speaking after receiving the letter of credentials from the newly appointed Turkish ambassador to Libya, Kenan Yilmaz, who affirmed his country's continued support for the council and the government.

For his part, Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah asserted that his foreign visits aim to prevent war, calling for solidarity to achieve stability in Libya.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
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Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”