https://arab.news/wxm8s
- The two leaders held 鈥渆xtensive and constructive鈥� talks Saturday at Cairo鈥檚 Ittihadiya palace
- Leaders demanded the exit of foreign forces and fighters from Libya
CAIRO: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and Tunisian President Kais Saied agreed to support Libya鈥檚 peaceful transition in a Cairo meeting on Saturday.
El-Sisi received the Tunisian leader at the Federal Palace, where an official reception ceremony was held.
The spokesman for the Egyptian presidency said that a single session of talks was held, followed by expanded discussions between delegations from the two countries.
鈥淲e confirmed our readiness to provide all forms of support in a way that can manage the transitional phase and hold elections at the end of this year,鈥� El-Sisi said.
He added: 鈥淲e discussed the developments of the Libyan crisis 鈥� we welcomed the formation of the executive authority in Libya.鈥�
El-Sisi urged the importance of ending foreign interference in the crisis-hit country, coupled with an exit of all foreign forces, fighters and militia groups.
He called for steps that guarantee stability, the preservation of Libyan sovereignty and territorial integrity, and welcomed the formation of the new Libyan executive authority.
The Palestine issue was also discussed by the two leaders. 鈥淲e affirmed the continuation of efforts to support Palestinian efforts as the central issue of the Arab world,鈥� El-Sisi said.
The pair agreed on the importance of a two-state solution and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, he added.
The Egyptian leader said that cultural cooperation was also an important subject of the meeting, especially addressing the dangers of intellectual extremism facing the Arab world.
As part of the cooperation, the two leaders called on the international community to present a comprehensive approach to address extremism.
El-Sisi and Saied declared that 2021 and 2022 will be 鈥測ears of Egyptian-Tunisian culture鈥� through the activation of cultural and artistic activities between the countries. 鈥淭his reflects our common history and existing communication,鈥� El-Sisi said.
He added that there will be a focus on strengthening effective communication channels between the two sides at the economic level, maximizing trade and investment.
Saied praised Egypt鈥檚 achievements in past years in the security and development sectors, which led to the 鈥渞estoration of its effective role at the regional and international levels.鈥�
He said that the change had 鈥減ositive implications鈥� for joint African and Arab action, including efforts to reach political settlements in the region.
The issue of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam was also discussed. Saied hailed Egyptian efforts to reach a fair and comprehensive agreement on the rules for filling and operating the dam.