Egypt, Libya Say 'Berlin 2' Must Prioritize Withdrawal of Mercenaries

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt, Libya Say 'Berlin 2' Must Prioritize Withdrawal of Mercenaries

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
The Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry and Libyan counterpart Naglaa al-Mangoush in Cairo (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry discussed with his Libyan counterpart Naglaa el-Mangoush the need to prioritize the issue of foreign forces and mercenaries stationed in Libya during the Berlin 2 conference.

During a joint press conference in Cairo, Mangoush stressed that ending foreign interferences and removing foreign forces and mercenaries are the only ways to support Libya’s stability and peace.

She explained that the unity government, led by Abdulhamid Dbeiba, is facing major security and economic challenges.

The political process is moving slowly in Libya, however, Mangoush said there are several signs of development especially that Berlin 2 will be held soon.

“The Libyan people must rise to the level of responsibility, and mercenaries and foreign fighters must be removed from Libya,” she stressed.

Mangoush praised the distinguished relations between Egyptians and Libyans, noting that she looks forward to Egypt's support for stability in Libya.

For his part, Shoukry said that Egypt supports the efforts of Libyans to restore security and stability, adding that his discussions with Mangoush touched on ways of boosting bilateral relations and pushing forward the political process in Libya.

The Egyptian minister asserted his country’s support for Libya's efforts to restore security and stability.

Shoukry said Berlin 2 conference is an opportunity for the international community to commit to the welfare and sovereignty of Libyans.

He stressed the necessity of restoring the unity of the Libyan territories and implementing all the stages of the roadmap for the political solution resulting from the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF).

The Egyptian minister indicated that Berlin 2 conference will also provide a chance for the international community to show its support for Libya, stressing that the issue of foreign forces and armed militias needs to be addressed during the conference.

Shoukry expressed Egypt's readiness to help the Libyans achieve the Stability Initiative to restore the country’s stability and territorial integrity.



Israeli ‘Aggression’ Targets Syria’s Homs Countryside, State News Agency Says

 A man rides a motorbike past damaged buildings in Homs, Syria November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
A man rides a motorbike past damaged buildings in Homs, Syria November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
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Israeli ‘Aggression’ Targets Syria’s Homs Countryside, State News Agency Says

 A man rides a motorbike past damaged buildings in Homs, Syria November 7, 2024. (Reuters)
A man rides a motorbike past damaged buildings in Homs, Syria November 7, 2024. (Reuters)

Initial reports indicate that an Israeli "aggression" targeted two villages in northern and western areas of Syria's Homs province, the Syrian state news agency said on Tuesday.

Earlier, Syrian state television said blasts had been heard in the vicinity of Homs city and that the cause was under investigation.

Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since the Oct. 7, 2023, assault on southern Israel by Hamas-led fighters.