Sisi affirms Egypt’s readiness to support Libya, send labor and companies

CAIRO – 24 April 2021: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi on Friday voiced Egypt’s readiness to support Libya as a sisterly country and a nation of strategic depth to Egypt as he met with military officials after the Friday Prayer in Moushir Tantawy Mosque.

Sisi, in a video published by the Presidency, said he urged the Egyptian government to organize the travel of the Egyptian labor to Libya in a better way and prepare databases that include the information and specializations of these workers.

The president said he also asked the government to prepare databases of the Egyptian companies that can work in Libya, given their experience and competence.

Sisi’s remarks come days after Egypt’s Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly signed 11 MoUs with head of the Libyan National Unity Government Abdul Hamid Al-Dabaiba to enhance bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various field.

Madbouly noted that one of the signed MoUs in Libya was related to the returning of Egyptian labor to Libya to “contribute with Libyans in reconstructing and developing the country.”

This comes a decade after the February 2011 revolution in Libya that overthrew long-time leader Muammar Gaddafi and resulted in security threats to foreign labor including Egyptians.

Officials who met on Friday with Sisi included Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Mohamed Farid, heads of the army’s main branches as well as other key commanders, officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

Endowment Minister Mohamed Mokhtar Gomaa, Grand Mufti Shawky Allam, Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel Aal also attended the meeting.

Sisi expressed Egypt’s readiness to also export electricity to countries including Libya, Sudan, Jordan and Iraq, affirming that Egypt has an electricity surplus.

Sisi noted that Egypt can export to each of these countries up to 1,000-2,000 megawatts of electricity based on their needs.

Sisi also addressed a national project to develop the countryside, which houses 50-60 million citizens, through developing roads, water plants, hospitals and schools.

The development work will also include lining canals and using modern irrigation systems.

The president also discussed the anticipated inauguration of the New Administrative Capital, East of Cairo, and the relocation of government offices to this new capital. The step is expected to take place this year.

During the meeting, Sisi extended his greeting to the armed forces on the anniversary of the Tenth of Ramadan victory, which corresponded to the 6th of October War against the Israeli occupation in 1973, a Presidential statement read.

Sisi voiced Egyptian people’s appreciation for the efforts and sacrifices made by the heroes of the armed forces to defend the security and integrity of the nation.

The president also hailed the army personnel as an extension of the 6th of October war’s generation, who are performing their duties with full dedication and sincerity to protect the homeland.

Sisi discussed with the military leaders national security issues and challenges facing the Egyptians state, according to the statement.