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.



As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
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As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)

Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport as well as all roads leading into the city on Saturday, three military sources told Reuters, as the groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad said they had reached the heart of Aleppo.
The opposition fighters, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, carried out a surprise sweep through government-held towns this week and reached Aleppo nearly a decade after having been forced out by Assad and his allies.
Russia, one of Assad's key allies, has promised Damascus extra military aid to thwart the opposition, two military sources said, adding new hardware would start arriving in the next 72 hours.
The Syrian army has been told to follow "safe withdrawal" orders from the main areas of the city that the opposition have entered, three army sources said.
The fighters began their incursion on Wednesday and by late Friday an operations room representing the offensive said they were sweeping through various neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
They are returning to the city for the first time since 2016, when Assad and his allies Russia, Iran, and regional Shi'ite militias retook it, with the insurgents agreeing to withdraw after months of bombardment and siege.
Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander in the Jaish al-Izza opposition brigade, said their speedy advance this week had been helped by a lack of Iran-backed manpower in the broader Aleppo province. Iran's allies in the region have suffered a series of blows at the hands of Israel as the Gaza war has expanded through the Middle East.
The opposition fighters have said the campaign was in response to stepped-up strikes in recent weeks against civilians by the Russian and Syrian air force on areas in opposition-held Idlib, and to preempt any attacks by the Syrian army.
Opposition sources in touch with Turkish intelligence said Turkiye, which supports the opposition, had given a green light to the offensive.
But Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on Friday that Turkiye sought to avoid greater instability in the region and had warned recent attacks undermined de-escalation agreements.
The attack is the biggest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkiye agreed to a deal to de-escalate the conflict.
CIVILIANS KILLED IN FIGHTING
On Friday, Syrian state television denied opposition had reached the city and said Russia was providing Syria's military with air support.
The Syrian military said it was fighting back against the attack and had inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib.
David Carden, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said: "We're deeply alarmed by the situation unfolding in northwest Syria."
"Relentless attacks over the past three days have claimed the lives of at least 27 civilians, including children as young as 8 years old."
Syrian state news agency SANA said four civilians including two students were killed on Friday in Aleppo by insurgent shelling of university student dormitories. It was not clear if they were among the 27 dead reported by the UN official.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow regarded the attack as a violation of Syria's sovereignty.
"We are in favor of the Syrian authorities bringing order to the area and restoring constitutional order as soon as possible," he said.