Sisi, British PM affirm need for political solution in Libya

CAIRO – 19 December 2019: President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Wednesday has discussed the updates in Libya, in a phone call with British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday, where they agreed to foster joint efforts in this regard, said the Egyptian Presidency.

They both agreed on the need for a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis that would achieve security and stability, help eradicate terrorist groups, and halt foreign intervention in the Libyan cause to limit their consequences, presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said in a statement.

Sisi congratulated Johnson after his Conservative Party secured a landslide victory in the parliamentary elections. He praised the recent positive developments in the bilateral relations between Egypt and Britain, including a decision by the British government to resume flights from Britain to Egyptian South Sinai’s Sharm El-Sheikh, ending a ban that had been imposed since 2015 over a Russian plane crash.

Sisi expressed hope to boost relations and cooperation with Britain in various fields including economy, politics, security and tourism, and also to consult on regional and international issues.

For his part, Johnson affirmed keenness to intensify communication with the Egyptian president to continue coordination and consultation on various issues of mutual concern. He also expressed willingness to boost bilateral relations at all levels, especially in light of Egypt’s role and efforts to establish peace in the Middle East and Africa.

In October, British Envoy to Cairo Geoffrey Adams said in "Al Hekaya" talk show that after the ban lift on flights from the UK to Sharm El Sheikh Airport both Egypt and the UK “can promote Sharm El Sheikh as a happy holiday destination.”

Adams said he thinks that the economic benefits will be huge and that he is very conscious that people running hotels and people working in hotels in Sharm El Sheikh will benefit hugely from British tourists increasing in number.

The ambassador said that the ban lift is the outcome of “the intense cooperation between the Egyptian and British authorities over many months,” which led to “the confidence to make that decision” on the UK's side.

Adams stated that nearly half a million British tourists will visit Egypt this year. “The vast majority of them will enjoy a happy trouble-free holidays. And, many British people live here as well happily as I do myself,” the ambassador added.