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.



The Israel-Hezbollah War by the Numbers

People look through the rubble of buildings which were levelled on September 27 by Israeli strikes that targeted and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburbs, on September 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
People look through the rubble of buildings which were levelled on September 27 by Israeli strikes that targeted and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburbs, on September 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
TT

The Israel-Hezbollah War by the Numbers

People look through the rubble of buildings which were levelled on September 27 by Israeli strikes that targeted and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburbs, on September 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
People look through the rubble of buildings which were levelled on September 27 by Israeli strikes that targeted and killed Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah, in the Haret Hreik neighborhood of Beirut's southern suburbs, on September 29, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

A ceasefire has taken effect between Israel and Lebanon-based Hezbollah after nearly 14 months of cross-border fire.
The ceasefire agreement calls for a two-month initial halt in fighting. It would require Hezbollah to end its armed presence in a broad swath of southern Lebanon, while Israeli troops would return to their side of the border.
The conflict began Oct. 8, 2023, a day after Hamas attacked southern Israel, as Hezbollah fired rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas and Israel returned fire. Israel launched a more widespread bombardment of Lebanon two months ago, followed by a ground invasion.
Here’s a look at the conflict by the numbers:
The dead
More than 3,800 people in Lebanon have been killed, many of them civilians. More than 80 Israeli soldiers have been killed, and 47 civilians in Israel.
The damage
Damage in Lebanon is estimated at $8.5 billion including at least 100,000 homes. In Israel, around 5,683 acres of land have burned.
The displaced
An estimated 1.2 million people are displaced in Lebanon and over 46,500 in Israel.
The strikes
Israel has made around 14,000 strikes in Lebanon, while Hezbollah has made more than 2,000 in Israel.