Al-alamein: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Libya's Parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh, emphasizing the necessity of unifying efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement to resolve the Libyan crisis. The meeting took place in the city of Al-Alamein in northwestern Egypt, according to a statement from the Egyptian presidency.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting followed an earlier one in the same city between al-Sisi and the commander of eastern Libyan forces, Khalifa Haftar. Joined by his intelligence agency chief, Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, al-Sisi discussed the latest developments in Libya with Aguila Saleh. The Egyptian president reaffirmed Egypt's support for Libya and its national institutions, emphasizing the importance of preserving Libya's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Al-Sisi stressed the necessity for unifying efforts to achieve a comprehensive political settlement to the crisis, allowing for presidential and parliamentary elections to be held concurrently as soon as possible. This move aims to fulfill the aspirations of the Libyan people for stability, security, and a dignified life. He reiterated Egypt's commitment to continuing its efforts and coordination with all Libyan parties and concerned international entities, emphasizing that Libya's political and security stability is integral to Egypt's own stability.
The president expressed interest in the reconstruction of Libya and participating in this process, offering to transfer Egyptian development expertise to support Libya's development. Aguila Saleh appreciated the historical and fraternal relations between Egypt and Libya and acknowledged the role of President El-Sisi and Egyptian institutions in supporting Libya's unity and national cohesion. Saleh affirmed that this support is fundamental for restoring security and stability, advancing the transitional phase, and implementing upcoming electoral commitments.
Libya remains divided between two rival administrations: one led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli, which controls the west, and another appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022, led by Osama Hammad, based in Benghazi, governing the east and much of the south. The UN continues to mediate efforts to unify governance and hold national elections in the country.