Sisi, Italy's PM talk situation in Libya

CAIRO – 11 November 2018: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi discussed a number of bilateral issues, and the situation in Libya particularly, in a phone call with Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte.

During the call, Sisi affirmed Egypt's support for efforts aiming for a political settlement to the Libyan crisis, within the framework of Egypt's mandate to preserve Libya's territorial integrity, supporting its national institutions and respecting the Libyan people's will.

In August, Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Economic Development Minister Luigi De Mayo asserted that Italy and Egypt aim at achieving national reconciliation and political stability in Libya.

This came during De Mayo's meeting with Egyptian Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouli. There is full coordination and cooperation between Egypt and Libya to resolve the Libyan crisis, De Mayo added.

During the World Youth Forum held earlier in November in the Sharm al-Sheikh resort town, Sisi called for a partial lift of the arms and equipment embargo on the Libyan army to enable it to play its role in maintaining security and stability.

Egypt supports the Libyan National Army as it is the one responsible for maintaining security.

Concerning Italian efforts, an international conference on Libya will be held in Sicily in November, with the aim of bringing together opposing forces and forging dialogue on the affairs of the war-torn country.