Libya, Algeria Discuss Border Security

Libyan FM Najla al-Magnoush meets with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, during her visit. (Algerian Foreign Ministry)
Libyan FM Najla al-Magnoush meets with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, during her visit. (Algerian Foreign Ministry)
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Libya, Algeria Discuss Border Security

Libyan FM Najla al-Magnoush meets with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, during her visit. (Algerian Foreign Ministry)
Libyan FM Najla al-Magnoush meets with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, during her visit. (Algerian Foreign Ministry)

Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune stressed his country's hope that Libya will hold elections, which would be a "significant step" in resolving its political crisis.

The president received on Thursday Libyan Foreign Minister Najla al-Mangoush.

He urged the need for all foreign militias to withdraw from Libya and for an end to foreign meddling in its internal affairs.

He expressed Algeria's keenness on Libya holding elections before the end of the year, said informed sources.

Presidential and parliamentary elections were set to be held in December 2021, but they were postponed over political disagreements.

Tebboune stressed the need to resolve political disputes between various Libyan parties so that stability can be restored in their country and the region.

Talks with Magnoush also tackled border security, illegal migration, arms smuggling and views on the Ukraine war.

For her part, Magnoush said her one-day visit sought to garner support to Libya's Government of National Unity ahead of holding transparent elections.

Talks also focused on stability in Libya that will ensure stability in the Arab and Maghreb regions, she added.

According to the Libyan Foreign Ministry, Tebboune expressed Algeria's "unconditional support" to the GNU and its strenuous efforts to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

Magnoush also met with her Algerian counterpart, Ramtane Lamamra, during her visit.



Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus
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Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian FM Meets Syria's Sharaa in Damascus

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani met Syria's new ruler Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus Friday, state media said, in the latest such visit from a European diplomat since the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

State news agency SANA did not give further details about Tajani and Sharaa's discussions, just over a month after opposition fighters seized Damascus and Assad fled to Moscow.

Tajani earlier met his new counterpart Asaad al-Shibani, after which the Syrian official said he would soon make his first official tour of Europe.

Tajani spoke of easing the sanctions imposed on the war-torn country under its former leader.

"The sanctions absolutely must not hit the Syrian population," he said.

"They were imposed because there was a different regime. It's important to open discussions on the changed situation."

Western powers, including the United States and the European Union, imposed sanctions against Assad's government for his brutal crackdown after anti-government protests in 2011 that triggered civil war.

More than 13 years of conflict have killed in excess of half a million people, ravaged the economy, and pushed millions of people to flee their homes, including to Europe.

Tajani arrived after hosting talks with European counterparts and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Rome on Thursday, where Tajani said they are seeking a "stable and united Syria.”

The European Union's top diplomat earlier Friday said the 27-nation bloc could begin lifting sanctions if Syria's new rulers took steps to form an inclusive government that protects minorities.

"The EU could gradually ease sanctions provided there is tangible progress," foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas wrote on X.

Shibani said he welcomed what he described as Tajani's focus on sanctions.

"We share his opinion that the reasons for imposing them no longer exist, and could be an obstacle to encouraging the return of refugees from outside Syria,” Shibani said.

Tajani earlier toured the landmark Umayyad mosque in Damascus.

"It's a great pleasure... to be here this morning to visit and pay homage to all Syrian believers," he told AFP at the mosque, which is about 1,300 years old.

He described the mosque as "one of the most beautiful" in the world.

The Italian minister earlier said he planned to announce an initial development aid package for Syria.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and his German counterpart Annalena Baerbock visited Damascus last week.