Egypt, Libya Establish ‘New Phase’ of Cooperation

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (AFP)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (AFP)
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Egypt, Libya Establish ‘New Phase’ of Cooperation

Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (AFP)
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh (AFP)

Libya and Egypt entered a new phase of cooperation after Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly visited Tripoli at the head of a high-ranking delegation.

Madbouly discussed with his Libyan counterpart, Abdel Hamid Dbeibeh, regional and international issues of common interest, and emphasized the importance of intensifying coordination and political consultation on various issues.

They stressed the importance of protecting Libya's sovereignty over its territory, its political unity, and its independence.

Egypt and Libya signed a number of memorandums including one on the resumption of civilian flights between the two countries, after six years of suspension.

"I instructed the [Egyptian] Aviation Ministry to immediately allow receiving planes from Libyan cities at Cairo Airport," Madbouli said at a press conference.

The statement stressed that the Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity (GNU) are the only legitimate executive authority in Libya.

The two sides also intend to exchange experience, emphasizing that the solution to political problems can only be achieved through peaceful political methods approved by the relevant international and local political conventions.

The statement also stressed the role of Egypt and its constructive contributions in controlling joint security and stability in a way that guarantees the territorial integrity of the two sides.

The statement called for trade and economic exchange between the countries, including facilitating the movement of goods.

The two officials also stressed the importance of holding the 11th session of the Higher Joint Egyptian-Libyan Committee and completing the procedures for the cooperation agreements between the two countries, the statement revealed.

They called for activating and amending previous deals on joint investments, by giving more concessions and procedural facilities for development projects of current and future joint ventures.

The two officials signed an MoU to facilitate the return of Egyptian workers to Libya.

The two delegations also decided to form a joint working group of agriculture and marine specialists, to open sea lines for passengers and freight between the ports of the two countries.

The statement called for the establishment of an information system and a common database for combating terrorism. This will lead to monitoring, follow-up, and exchange of information on terror, in addition to enumerating terrorist elements in the two countries and preparing a unified directory of wanted and suspected extremists.

The two countries will also establish security and checkpoints along the land and sea borders, form joint forces to combat terrorism, and mobilize against terror financing.

It was also decided to monitor financial transactions, funding of charities, and work to establish a joint body to combat money laundering, organized crime, and undocumented migration.

During the meeting, a number of MoUs were signed to consolidate the relations between the two countries in transportation, infrastructure, health, electricity, and communications.



Large-scale Refugee Returns Could Overwhelm Syria, UN Migration Agency Chief Warns

Residents stand in line to buy bread from a bakery in Aleppo, Syria. (File/AP)
Residents stand in line to buy bread from a bakery in Aleppo, Syria. (File/AP)
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Large-scale Refugee Returns Could Overwhelm Syria, UN Migration Agency Chief Warns

Residents stand in line to buy bread from a bakery in Aleppo, Syria. (File/AP)
Residents stand in line to buy bread from a bakery in Aleppo, Syria. (File/AP)

Large-scale returns of refugees to Syria could overwhelm the country and even stoke conflict at a fragile moment following the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad earlier this month, the head of the UN migration agency told reporters on Friday.
"We believe that millions of people returning would create conflict within an already fragile society," said Amy Pope, director-general of the International Organization for Migration, told a Geneva press briefing after a trip to the country. "We are not promoting large scale returns. The communities, frankly, are just not ready to absorb the people who are displaced."