Egyptian Foreign Minister Calls for Comprehensive Political Settlement in Libya

Jeddah: Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Ati met with his Tunisian counterpart, Mohamed Al-Nafti, during the extraordinary session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The meeting focused on the need for a comprehensive political settlement in Libya. According to Libyan News Agency, the Egyptian Minister emphasized Egypt's commitment to working jointly with Tunisia to enhance bilateral relations across various areas. The discussions included regional developments and issues of common interest, particularly the situation in Libya. Abdel-Ati highlighted the necessity of regional and international efforts to achieve a political settlement in Libya, emphasizing Libyan ownership of the process. The Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed that the political settlement should lead to simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections at the earliest opportunity. This, he noted, would align with the aspirations of the Libyan people for stabi lity and the establishment of legitimate, unified institutions. Abdel-Ati also underscored the importance of the withdrawal of all foreign forces, fighters, and mercenaries from Libya. Abdel-Ati reiterated that realizing these objectives would bolster security and stability in both Libya and the broader region. He affirmed Egypt's unwavering support for Libya's unity and territorial integrity while rejecting any forms of interference that could undermine its national sovereignty. Furthermore, the Egyptian Minister emphasized the significance of regular meetings under the Libya mechanism, which includes Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. He described this framework as vital for coordinating positions and exchanging views to support the Libyan political process, expressing hope that the next meeting would convene soon.