Cairo wants to fill 'void' linked to lack of authority in Libya, says President Al-Sissi
Cairo, Egypt (PANA) - Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi said during a meeting in Cairo on Thursday with the Greek Foreign Minister, Nikos Dendias, that his country was aiming to fulfil the aim of the lack of institutional authority in Libya.
According to a statement issued by the Egyptian presidency, President al-Sissi and Dendias exchanged views on several issues of common interest, marked by a convergence of views between the two countries in relation to the situation in the Middle East.
Among the issues discussed is the situation in Libya in the context of the proposals made under the Cairo Declaration, the statement said.
It said that President al-Sissi clarified that "Egypt's efforts in the Libyan case are essentially aimed at restoring the institutional role of the State and filling the void of authority in an institutional way".
The absence of state authority enabled the presence of armed militias, which pose a threat to transform Libya into a hotbed and source of unrest in the region and spread to Europe.
The Greek Foreign Minister reiterated his country's support for the "Cairo Declaration," saying it represented a message of peace and stability, not only for Libya, but for the entire region, the statement added.
The two sides agreed to strengthen joint coordination to end the Libyan crisis, making every effort to reach an indispensable political solution for the return of peace and stability and to put an end to foreign interference aimed at satisfying special interests without other considerations.
The Egyptian announced on 6 June, in the presence of the Speaker of the Libyan Parliament, Aguila Saleh, and his unconditional ally, Khalifa Haftar, leader of the Libyan National Army (LNA) the Cairo Declaration, which includes a ceasefire on 8 June 2020 and the election of a Presidential Council under the supervision of the United Nations.
The withdrawal of foreign mercenaries from Libyan, the dismantling of militias and the surrender of their weapons, so that the Libyan army can carry out its security tasks, as well as the continuation of the work of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission under the auspices of the United Nations were other proposals, along with avenues of political, security and economic talks between the Libyan belligerents.
The Tripoli-based internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has dismissed the Cairo Declaration saying President al-Sissi is not being sincere but only wants to save the face of Haftar who has suffered a string of defeats in recent weeks, including the withdrawal from the Libyan capital, Tripoli.
Egypt, United Arab Emirates and Russia are the key backers of Haftar, who on 4 April 2019 launched a bloody attack to capture Tripoli.
-0- PANA AT/IN/JSG/BBA/MA 19June2020
