عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Egyptian PM Visits Tripoli to Discuss Political, Economic Cooperation

Libyan PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Tripoli on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (the Prime Minister’s Media Office)
Libyan PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Tripoli on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (the Prime Minister’s Media Office)
TT
TT

Egyptian PM Visits Tripoli to Discuss Political, Economic Cooperation

Libyan PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Tripoli on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (the Prime Minister’s Media Office)
Libyan PM Abdul Hamid Dbeibah met with his Egyptian counterpart Mostafa Madbouly in Tripoli on Tuesday, April 20, 2021 (the Prime Minister’s Media Office)

A high-ranking ministerial delegation from Egypt, headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, arrived in Tripoli on an official visit on Tuesday.

Madbouly was received by his Libyan counterpart Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, marking the first visit of an Egyptian PM since 2011 and the latest by an Arab premier.

The visit aims to support the new executive authority and discuss economic, political and trade cooperation.

Both officials discussed Libyan-Egyptian cooperation in various fields, including the return of the Egyptian labor force and the participation in reconstructing Libya.

Dbeibah hailed Cairo’s “significant role” in bolstering and supporting political dialogue and finding a comprehensive solution to the Libyan crisis.

In a joint press conference following the talks, Dbeibah said bilateral cooperation will take place in several areas, including electricity, communications, health, manpower and infrastructure, transportation and investment.

He highlighted the most important advantage of the unity government, which is restoring relations with brotherly countries.

Madbouly affirmed that his visit to Tripoli aims at affirming Cairo’s support for the newly established unity government “in this critical period to achieve reconciliation and development.”

The accompanying ministerial delegation will ensure setting a timetable for future cooperation, he noted.

“Cairo supports all efforts to achieve reconciliation among Libyans and settle the crisis.”

The Egyptian delegation includes 11 officials, namely the ministers of electricity and renewable energy, petroleum and mineral resources, manpower, higher education and scientific research, international cooperation, health and population, communications and information technology, housing, utilities and urban communities, transportation, civil aviation and trade and industry.

Madbouly was also accompanied by CEO of the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) Counselor Mohammed Abdel Wahab, as well as representatives of concerned authorities and investors.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
TT
TT

Fishers at a Lebanese Port Hope Ceasefire with Israel Means Normal Life is Returning

Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)
Most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the Tyre port have not sailed out of concern since the Israeli army in October barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers from the order. (AP)

The ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah brought hope for normality back to many in southern Lebanon on Friday, including fishermen who have long launched their single-engine wooden boats into the Mediterranean at dawn.
During the last two months of its year fighting Hezbollah, Israel imposed a siege on southern Lebanon that kept hundreds of fishers at this ancient Phoenician port on shore, upending their lives and the industry.
While less important than destruction and displacement, the port siege cut many people off from the key ingredients for traditional Lebanese dishes like sayadiyeh — fish and rice boiled in fish sauce — or fried and grilled fish eaten with dips such as hummus and tabbouleh or fattoush salads.
The loss of fish damaged a deep association with home, but now the possibility of renewed Lebanese fishing on the country's southern coast is helping fuel hope for a brighter future.
On Friday, a few boats went out close to the shore as fishers in the port worked on the nets of small boats painted white, blue or red.
Hussein Sukmani, 55, said Friday that he was considering going to sea in coming days but was waiting to see how things unfold.
He hasn't dared set sail since the Israel-Hezbollah war dramatically intensified on Sept. 23. “They were days of fear and horror,” he said. "They were the most difficult days of our lives.”
A week ago, a drone strike killed two young fishers in the city as they prepared their nets on the coast, and some fishermen said Friday that the Lebanese army told them that if they headed out it would be at their own risk .
Among those who sailed near the coast on Friday was Walid Darwish, who returned to the port with two plastic boxes filled with mullet.
“Today is the first time that we sail,” Darwish said, adding that fishers had missed the prime season in October and November.
“We lost it,” he said.
The Israeli army barred any boats from an area 50 kilometers (31 miles) from the border in October and has not said whether the warning is still in effect.
Sukmani said that most of the 700 fishers who work on the 270 boats at the port have not sailed out of concern since then.
The area around the port is a predominantly Christian neighborhood that has been spared much of the airstrikes on other parts of Tyre that leveled buildings in this city.
In peaceful times, the port is a major tourist attraction, beloved by Lebanese and foreigners who come for the views, the restaurants and the beaches.
On Friday, Mohammed Hammoud walked along the coast of Tyre carrying his fishing rod.
“It is enough that someone is able to stand in this beautiful area,” he said, pointing to the white sands. “Fishing is everything for me,” added Hammoud, who went to fish several times in the area north of the city of Sidon that was not part of the siege.
In the old market of Tyre, Gilbert Spiridon watched from inside his shop as people came to buy freshly brought fish. Before the war, it took hours to sell all his fish to people from around Lebanon.
“All I wish is that the war has ended and we are back on track to the old good days,” he said.