Egypt hopes to lift UK ban on flights to Sharm el-Sheikh: FM

CAIRO – 15 September 2017: Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stated that Egypt is looking forward to lifting the UK ban on flights to the Red sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh in a meeting with his British counterpart Boris Johnson, Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zeid stated on Tuesday.

Shoukry welcomed the UK decision of lifting the ban on taking electronic devices such as laptops on aircraft cabins on flights from Egypt to London, Abu Zeid added.

During the meeting, The Egyptian and British foreign ministers discussed means of enhancing the bilateral relations between the two countries especially economic relations, Abu Zeid added.

Egypt hopes to that the UK trade mission visit to Egypt opens the door to enhancing economic relations between the two countries.

Shoukry participated in the six-party ministerial meeting on the Libyan crisis held in London on Thursday.

The meeting was presented by Shoukry and several other foreign ministers including UAE’s Anwar Qarqash, Italy’s Angelino Alfano, U.S.A.’S Rex Tillerson, and the British Boris Johnson. It aimed to discuss the latest updates in the Libyan political situation with the United Nation special envoy to Libya Ghassan Salame and political director of the French Foreign Ministry Nicolas de Riviere.

The political leaders also wanted to know the results of Salame’s talks with different Libyan parties, along with his national and international efforts regarding reconciliation, according to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry on Thursday.

On September 12 the ministry spokesperson Ahmed Abu Zaid said in statement that the meeting is meant to coordinate regional and international efforts aimed at putting an end to the state of division in Libya and to achieve national reconciliation.

Abu Zaid pointed out that this meeting is a result of a British initiative meant to push forward national reconciliation efforts and help in implementing the 2015 Skhirat Agreement.