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)
TT

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.



G7 Foreign Ministers Say 'Now is the Time' for Lebanon Ceasefire

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Ashrafieh, Lebanon, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Ashrafieh, Lebanon, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
TT

G7 Foreign Ministers Say 'Now is the Time' for Lebanon Ceasefire

Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Ashrafieh, Lebanon, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi
Smoke billows over Beirut's southern suburbs, after Israeli strikes, amid the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, as seen from Ashrafieh, Lebanon, November 26, 2024. REUTERS/Adnan Abidi

Foreign Ministers from the G7 democracies on Tuesday upped the pressure on Israel to accept a ceasefire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying "now is the time to conclude a diplomatic settlement."

In a draft statement at the end of a two-day meeting in Italy, the G7 ministers urged Israel to facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to Palestinians, and condemned increasing settler violence in the West Bank, Reuters reported.

The ministers also condemned recent attack on the UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL) and expressed their support for the UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, saying it plays a "vital role."