Egypt reemphasised that all foreign forces and mercenaries must leave Libyan territories with no exceptions.
This came during the meeting between Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and United Nations Special Envoy for Libya Jan Kubis in Cairo on Saturday.
According to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, Shoukry asserted that Egypt attaches great importance to the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya
He reiterated warnings of the threat posed by their presence to the country’s sovereignty and national unity as well as the security and stability of its neighbouring countries and the region.
“All forms of foreign existence on Libyan territories must be brought to an end,” Shoukry said, noting that “no exceptions should be allowed”.
He also called for taking “stricter action against all parties violating an international arms embargo on Libya”.
He also stressed the need for any international moves in this regard to lead to the withdrawal of foreign presence simultaneously and without exception or distinction. The Egyptian Foreign Minister also stressed the importance of coordinating efforts in order to take a decisive stance towards the continued violation of the arms embargo by some parties in Libya.
The UN envoy to Libya stressed the need to agree on the first steps of the withdrawal process, which will take fully into account the needs and concerns of Libya and its neighbours.
Noting that he counts on the cooperation of all Libyan parties as well as the support of the African Union(AU) in this noble and very important endeavour.
Talks between the two sides tackled holding the Libyan parliamentary and presidential elections on time on December 24 by a Libyan political roadmap and relevant UN resolutions, Hafez said, noting that Shoukry warned of the implications of failing to deliver on political commitments.
For his part, the UN envoy briefed Shoukry on the outcome of his recent contacts with all the parties concerned with the Libyan situation. Kubis expressed his appreciation for Egypt’s efforts to consolidate the country’s stability.