Egyptian President Reiterates Importance of Holding Elections in Libya

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with the head of national unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with the head of national unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
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Egyptian President Reiterates Importance of Holding Elections in Libya

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with the head of national unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi meets with the head of national unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in Cairo (Egyptian Presidency)

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi discussed the upcoming Libyan elections with the head of national unity government, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, in Cairo.

The meeting was attended by Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly and Director of the General Intelligence Service Abbas Kamel.

Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said that Sisi underscored the utmost priority to restoring stability in Libya.

He also stressed Cairo's firm position towards respecting Tripoli's sovereignty and territorial integrity and rejecting all forms of foreign intervention in the internal affairs of Libya.

Sisi confirmed the importance of strengthening the cohesion of Libya's national institutions and uniting its national army to protect the resources of the Libyan people and reinforce their free will.

The meeting touched on the latest developments in Libya. The President lauded the approval of the electoral law, saying it is an essential step in implementing the roadmap approved by the Libyans.

Sisi said Egypt is ready to help Libyans hold the elections based on cooperation, development, and respect for the values of good neighborliness.

He lauded the endeavors of Dbeibeh's government to improve the living conditions of Libyan citizens.

The President expressed confidence in the ability of the Libyan people to overcome all challenges they are facing toward the reconstruction of a robust modern state capable of reinforcing security and stability across the country.

For his part, Dbeibeh reiterated Libya's profound appreciation for Egypt's pivotal role under the wise leadership of Sisi to maintain peace and stability in Libya.

This comes in light of the historic and brotherly relations that bind the two countries, mainly supporting Libya's national institutions. It also addressed transferring Egyptian expertise in the reconstruction and development of Libya to fulfill the aspirations of the Libyan people for a secure and dignified life.

Dbeibeh said he looks forward to further advancing Egyptian-Libyan relations across all areas for the benefit of the two peoples and support Egyptian investments to implement various projects in Libya.

Madbouly met with his Libyan counterpart ahead of the High Joint Libyan-Egyptian Committee meetings in Cairo.

Speaking at the joint press conference, Dbeibeh said that Sisi asserted Egypt's support to Libyan people, adding that the delegation's visit to Cairo confirms Egypt's significant role in the region and the world.

Dbeibeh explained that the delegation includes several ministers to confirm Libya's seriousness in the projects implemented by Egyptian companies.

Madbouly announced that Cairo and Tripoli agreed on several projects to be implemented by Egypt.

He described the meeting as "historic" because it represents the resumption of relations between the two countries during the next phase, stressing that Egypt will continue to provide political and economic support to Libya.

He encouraged the Libyan side to invest in Egypt through the Libyan Investment Corporation and the Development Fund.

Madbouly and Dbeibeh witnessed the signing of several agreements and joint memoranda of understanding (MoU) by the relevant ministers in transportation, ports, oil, infrastructure, energy, health, education, housing, communications, agriculture, security cooperation, civil aviation, and sports.



Drone Strike in Disputed Sudan-South Sudan Area Kills Dozens, Minister Says

A person wounded in a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border between South Sudan and Sudan is carried to Ameth Bek hospital, October 20, 2026. (Reuters/Medecins Sans Frontieres/Handout)
A person wounded in a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border between South Sudan and Sudan is carried to Ameth Bek hospital, October 20, 2026. (Reuters/Medecins Sans Frontieres/Handout)
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Drone Strike in Disputed Sudan-South Sudan Area Kills Dozens, Minister Says

A person wounded in a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border between South Sudan and Sudan is carried to Ameth Bek hospital, October 20, 2026. (Reuters/Medecins Sans Frontieres/Handout)
A person wounded in a drone strike on a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border between South Sudan and Sudan is carried to Ameth Bek hospital, October 20, 2026. (Reuters/Medecins Sans Frontieres/Handout)

At least 73 people were killed when drones struck a market in the disputed Abyei region along the border of South Sudan and Sudan, the caretaker information minister for the jointly administered region said on Tuesday, accusing Sudan's army of carrying out the attack.

The minister did not provide evidence for his claim of who was responsible for Monday's attack.

Abyei is an oil-rich area that is jointly administered by South Sudan and Sudan, which have both staked claims to it. It experiences frequent bouts of ‌violence, with clashes ‌usually involving rival ethnic groups or armed militias.

"Around ‌73 ⁠people have been ⁠killed and 19 have been wounded ... a number of drones were shot yesterday by the Sudanese armed forces," Yohana Akol Ngor, the caretaker minister of information of the Abyei region, told Reuters on Tuesday.

Last year, at least six Bangladeshi peacekeepers were killed and eight wounded in a drone attack by separatist armed ⁠groups on a UN base in Abyei, Bangladesh's ‌armed forces said.

South Sudan's foreign ‌ministry said in a statement late Monday that drones struck a market ‌located north of Abyei town, but did not specify the ‌number of civilian casualties resulting from the attack.

The ministry said it had summoned the Sudanese ambassador to convey the government's "strong protest and deep concern regarding the attack and its implications for the security of civilians and ‌the stability of the Abyei Area."

The medical charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) said in a statement that ⁠it was ⁠treating more than 20 wounded people at the nearby Ameth Bek Hospital.

"So far we received over 20 patients, including several critical cases. Patients with burns were also admitted. We are providing surgical services and wound dressing, along with other emergency care," said Christian Lindauer, MSF medical activities manager at Ameth Bek Hospital.

Sudan has been gripped by war since April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has devastated large parts of the country and created what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis.


Israeli Fire Kills Four People in Gaza, Medics Say

Children stand at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building that killed two people in Gaza City on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
Children stand at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building that killed two people in Gaza City on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
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Israeli Fire Kills Four People in Gaza, Medics Say

Children stand at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building that killed two people in Gaza City on October 20, 2026. (AFP)
Children stand at the site of an Israeli strike on a residential building that killed two people in Gaza City on October 20, 2026. (AFP)

Israeli strikes and ‌gunfire killed at least four Palestinians, including a married couple and a 17-year-old, in separate incidents in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, health officials said. 

Medics said an Israeli airstrike killed Akram Yassin and his wife Dina Abu Baker in an apartment in Gaza City. 

The Israeli military said it struck a fighter in the area, without giving further details. 

In Khan Younis, in the south, medics said a 17-year-old boy was killed by Israeli ‌gunfire near the ‌Qizan Al-Najar neighborhood, while another was ‌killed ⁠by Israeli gunfire ⁠in the Zeitoun suburb east of Gaza City, taking Tuesday's death toll to at least four. 

The Israeli military did not immediately comment on either of the two gunfire incidents. 

Palestinians inspected the aftermath of the strike on the apartment in Gaza City before gathering for the ⁠couple's funeral. 

"We’re supposed to be in a ceasefire ‌period, but honestly, we are ‌not seeing a ceasefire or anything. The war is ‌still going on, assassinations are continuing, and the shelling ‌has not stopped," said Mahmoud Yassin, whose brother was killed. 

Israel, which says the Hamas group has been rearming and launching attacks in violation of the ceasefire, has stepped up ‌strikes on the group in recent weeks. 

Hamas has denied trying to carry out ⁠attacks or ⁠rebuild its arsenal and accuses Israel of undermining the Gaza peace deal. 

The ceasefire, brokered by the US a year ago, calls for the eventual reconstruction of the territory. But little progress has been made towards implementing a deal to end the conflict that includes terms for Hamas to disarm and Israel to withdraw its troops. 

Gaza health officials have said at least 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since the ceasefire. Israel says four of its soldiers have been killed by fighters in Gaza over the same period. 


Arab League Chief Pushes for Concrete Support for Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy (Lebanese Presidency)
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Arab League Chief Pushes for Concrete Support for Lebanon

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy (Lebanese Presidency)
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun welcomes Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy (Lebanese Presidency)

Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Fahmy has called for concrete political and financial support for Lebanon, as Lebanese leaders pressed for a diplomatic solution, Israel’s withdrawal and reconstruction.

“Lebanon is among the Arab League’s priorities, and among my own priorities as its secretary-general,” he said on Monday during a visit to Beirut that included meetings with President Joseph Aoun, Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam.

Meeting the Arab League chief, Aoun accused Israel of failing to comply with the agreed framework and continuing its violations in South Lebanon, saying such actions only strengthened Lebanese determination to defend their land and rights.

He reaffirmed Lebanon’s commitment to diplomacy despite its difficulties, describing it as far less costly than a devastating war.

Declaring that it was time for Lebanon to enjoy some respite, Aoun welcomed Arab efforts to help the country overcome its challenges and stressed the importance of dialogue and negotiations.

The secretary-general said his visit followed a decision by Arab foreign ministers reaffirming support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, institutions and citizens.

He called for tangible financial and practical assistance that would strengthen state institutions and directly benefit the population, pledging to intensify contacts with Arab and Western governments.

Asked about the risk of a wider regional war, Fahmy denied conveying specific warnings to Aoun but acknowledged discussing the dangers posed by multiple conflicts and the possibility of a broader escalation.

He also reaffirmed the Arab League’s support for ending Israeli occupation and preserving Lebanon’s stability, stressing that each country had the right to determine its negotiating approach when asked about US-sponsored Lebanese-Israeli talks.

In talks with Berri, the Arab League chief reviewed regional developments and continued Israeli attacks, pledging to pursue diplomatic initiatives to secure assistance for Lebanese institutions and citizens.

The two also discussed the future of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), whose planned departure has raised concerns over a security vacuum.

The secretary-general said the Arab League opposed ending the mission, arguing that a continued UN presence offered the strongest framework for international oversight and accountability. Any alternative, he stressed, would require Lebanese agreement and a clear international legal mandate.

Salam urged continued Arab efforts to secure Israel’s complete withdrawal from Lebanese territory and extend state authority nationwide through its own forces.

He also urged support for recovery and reconstruction to help residents remain in their communities and strengthen state institutions.

The prime minister encouraged Arab investment in infrastructure and regional connectivity projects to stimulate growth and deepen Lebanon’s integration with its Arab neighbors.

Fahmy announced plans to visit South Lebanon to assess conditions firsthand and help shape further diplomatic engagement with Arab governments and international partners.

The visit would support efforts to secure political and financial assistance for Lebanese institutions, including the army.

He said the trip would allow him to return to Cairo with a clearer assessment of Lebanon’s needs, paving the way for follow-up on Arab commitments and closer coordination of political and financial support.