Withdrawal of mercenaries, holding polls on time: Sisi’s main focus for Libya conference in Paris

CAIRO – 11 November 2021: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi will head on Thursday to France to participate in international conference on Libya in Paris, said Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson Bassam Radi in a statement.

Sisi will focus on international solidarity with Libya in the current important situation as it will hold general elections due in December 2021.

President Sisi also will shed light on the exit of all foreign forces, mercenaries and foreign fighters from Libya.

He will discuss Egypt’s ongoing efforts in this regard at economic, political and security levels, Radi said.

President Sisi’s visit program to France includes holding bilateral talks with French President Macron to discuss all aspects of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The President will also meet with a number of world leaders to discuss advancing bilateral cooperation.

He also will hold a series of meetings with senior officials of the French government, in order to discuss ways to advance cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment and military fields between the two sides.

The President's participation comes in response to an invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron, said Radi, continuing that the participation also comes in light of the close relations between Egypt and France, as well as Egypt's pivotal role in supporting the political track in Libya at the bilateral, regional and international levels.

Preparations for the meeting

Sisi received a phone call from Macron on Monday, discussing the ongoing preparations to host an international conference on Libya in Paris this month, said Radi.

Macron expressed his keenness to consult and exchange views with Sisi on the Libyan issue, in light of appreciation for the president’s personal efforts to resolve the Libyan crisis, reinforcing the political track, Radi added.

This has consolidated Egypt’s role as a cornerstone for security and stability in its regional surrounding, Macron was quoted by the statement.

President Macron confirmed France’s keenness to continue intensive cooperation and coordination between the two countries on this important issue, Radi said.

Sisi reiterated Egypt’s unwavering position on the Libyan issue as well as Egypt’s current efforts to promote all tracks to resolve the issue militarily, politically and economically at various regional and international discussions, he continued.

The two presidents agreed to support the ongoing political track, leading to holding the presidential elections scheduled to take place by the end of December.

This is in addition to the need for all foreign forces and mercenaries to leave the Libyan territories and to curtail illegal foreign intervention that further fuels the crisis, Radi said.

The two presidents exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, especially the developments in Sudan.

There was agreement on the importance of addressing the current challenges in Sudan in a way that realizes stability and security for the Sudanese people and protects the democratic trajectory for the current political process.

Therefore, it is importance for all the Sudanese parties to uphold the higher interest of the nation and national reconciliation, Radi said.

Measures to ensure holding polls on time

While attending the international conference Libya held last month to support stability on its territories, Foreign Minister Sameh Shokry proposed four measures that can be approved by participants to ensure elections are held on time in December.

First: Designating the tools of the implementation and observation of the withdrawal of foreign forces, mercenaries, and foreign militants within a clear time frame.

Second: Implementing all the articles of the ceasefire agreement, including freezing all military agreements.

Third: Setting suitable programmes for the disarmament of members of armed groups, and the rehabilitation of those who can be reintegrated in society.

Fourth: The international community has to assume its role in ensuring that parties, that want to abandon its commitments and go around international resolutions pertinent to holding elections and the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries, are assuming their responsibilities, and are held accountable if they do not.

Libyan tensions

The elections come while Libya Presidential Council has maintained tensions with the government amid suspension of the foreign minister.

In September, Libya's parliament also passed a no-confidence vote in the Libyan Government of National Unity, which may obstruct the UN-backed peace efforts to hold polls in December.

Egypt has repeatedly affirmed the need for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya and for elections on 24 December as planned by the UN.

Additional reporting by Noha Al Tawil