Libya, Chad Agree on Securing Border to Fight Extremists

Libyan ministerial delegation holds meetings with Chadian officials in N'Djamena on Tuesday (Libyan government)
Libyan ministerial delegation holds meetings with Chadian officials in N'Djamena on Tuesday (Libyan government)
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Libya, Chad Agree on Securing Border to Fight Extremists

Libyan ministerial delegation holds meetings with Chadian officials in N'Djamena on Tuesday (Libyan government)
Libyan ministerial delegation holds meetings with Chadian officials in N'Djamena on Tuesday (Libyan government)

Prime Minister of the Libyan Government of National Unity Abdelhamid Dbeibeh and the head of Chad’s Transitional Military Council, Lieutenant-General Mohamed Idriss Deby, agreed Tuesday on securing joint borders to stop the infiltration of extremist groups and fighters.

The Libyan Prime Minister visited the capital of Chad, N'Djamena, on Tuesday, accompanied by Foreign Minister Najla Al-Manqoush, Interior Minister Khaled Mazen, and GNU Chief of Staff Mohamed Al-Haddad.

The delegation was received at the airport by Chadian Prime Minister Albert Pahimi Padacke and Foreign Minister Moussa Faki Mahamat.

The meeting between Dbeibeh and Deby discussed advancing relations, strengthening cooperation, particularly on security, and supporting efforts in fighting mercenaries and terrorism.

The Libyan PM said his government wanted to strengthen bilateral relations with Chad as part of continuous cooperation between the two countries.

The two officials discussed efforts to defeat terrorism, secure borders and activate the quadripartite agreement aimed at reducing the risk of transnational organized crime.

In May 2018, a four-way agreement was signed between Libya, Niger, Sudan and Chad, stipulating the deployment of forces to secure the joint border and combat cross-border crimes and undocumented migration.

In this regard, Dbeibeh called on the international community to support Libyan-Chadian efforts to secure their borders.

He also called for the establishment of a joint Libyan-Chadian committee, including economic and trade experts, capable to define the common priorities of both countries and to place the mechanisms for implementing them.

The Libyan PM then discussed ways to increase the volume of trade exchange between the two sides and means to facilitate the movement of goods, and the possibility for Chad to benefit from Libyan ports.

Last August, Dbeibeh and Presidential Council member Musa al-Koni agreed on the importance of removing Chadian mercenaries from Libyan territories.



China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
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China's Xi Visits Morocco, Meets with Crown Prince

Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters
Chinese President Xi Jinping. Reuters

Chinese President Xi Jinping made a short visit to Morocco on Thursday, according to state media from both countries.
Xi was welcomed in Casablanca by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and the visit reflected the strong bonds of friendship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Moroccan and Chinese peoples, Morocco's MAP said.
The Crown Prince and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch met Xi at the airport, where Xi and Hassan had a "cordial conversation", China's state broadcaster CCTV said.
Xi made the visit after being in Brazil for the G20 Summit.
China has stepped up investments in Morocco's infrastructure and rail sector in recent years.
Morocco's geographic location close to Europe, its free trade agreements with key EU and US markets and its existing automotive industry, make it attractive to Chinese electric vehicle battery makers.
In June, Chinese EV battery manufacturer Gotion High Tech picked Morocco to set up Africa's first gigafactory for a total cost of $1.3 billion.