Libyan embassy urges nationals in Cairo to fill out follow-up forms

CAIRO - 9 August 2020: The Libyan embassy in Cairo has called on all Libyan expats (refugees) in Cairo to fill out follow-up forms no later than Thursday, August 19.

The embassy set the deadline in an announcement published by the Libyan News Agency (LANA) on Sunday.

Last June, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry meet, Monday with the European Union's Commissioner for Migration and Home Affairs Ylva Johansson in Brussels.

According to spokesperson Ahmed Hafez, the two officials discussed cooperation in the fields of migration, asylum along with means to promote regular migration pathways, protection of migrants and refugees and developing regional and international cooperation in these areas.

Shoukry discussed several issues of mutual concern with his European Union counterparts during a working breakfast in Brussels.

According to spokesperson Ahmed Hafez, the minsters tackled several national and international issues including illegal immigration and human rights.

The Minsters affirmed during the gathering the strategic relations between Egypt and the EU, which considers to be Cairo’s first trade and investment partner. The discussed the importance of increasing the European investment in Egypt.

The talks also tackled The Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), the Middle East peace process and the situation in Libya.

The EU officials expressed appreciation to Egypt’s vital role in the MENA region on all levels to achieve regional security and stability.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shokry headed Sunday to Brussels to deliver a message from President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi to the president of the European Union Council.

On July 8, Minister Shokry delivered a speech explaining Egypt's vision and stance on the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD) crisis at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) session held on the issue.

The minister had been to New York housing the UNSC's headquarters since July 4, and met with the UN ambassadors of both permanent and non-permanent member states as well as other countries.

On March 16, power was handed over from the former presidential council to the new one, and from the 2014 Government of National Accord (GNA) to the GNU, which is supposed to pave the way for holding elections on December 24.

On March 15, the GNU members and prime minister took the oath of office before the Tobruk-based House of Representatives.

The new Chair of the Presidential Council is Mohamed Menfi, and the other two members are Mossa Al-Koni, and Abdullah Al-Lafi. Dabiba-Menfi list received the necessary votes in the ballot held by the UN-fostered Libyan National Dialogue Forum on February 6.

The dismantled interim non-elected GNA used to control western Libya and was using militias and mercenaries to hold territories. Simultaneously, central and eastern Libya were under the control of the Libyan National Army (LNA) and the authority of the elected House of Representatives and an interim government it had formed. 

Unlike the GNA, which was based in Tripoli in the west, the GNU is based in Sirte located in central Libya.  

In December, Libyan local media reported that Turkey had transported into Libya HAWK missile batteries and a 3D-Radar, according to Egypt's Youm7.

On July 5, several "unknown aircraft" launched nine strikes against Oqba Bin Nafea Airbase located in Al Watiyah controlled by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey. The outcome was the destruction of Hawk air defense systems, and a Koral electronic warfare system as well as the killing of a Turkish commander, and six officers as the operations room they were in was hit.

However, Commander of Mobilization at the LNA Khaled al-Mahgoub stated on July 20 that Turkey still uses Oqba bin Nafea airbase in Al Watiyah western the country to bring in military reinforcements.

An Egyptian delegation visited earlier in February the Libyan capital, Tripoli, in order to check on the headquarters of the embassy, and to reiterate three requests that are dismantling militias, eliminating foreign military presence in Libya, and deporting foreign mercenaries.