US State Secretary and Egypt’s Foreign Minister stress need for political solution in Libya

BY Libyan Express Aug 20, 2019 - 08:31

US and Egypt’s State Secretaries. [Photo: Internet]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Monday expressed American concerns over the prolonged conflict in Libya in a phone call with his Egyptian counterpart, and they agreed on the need for a political solution, the State Department said.

Pompeo also discussed with Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry cooperation to tackle the Islamic State and al-Qaida militant groups, the department said in a statement.

“The Secretary and the Foreign Minister shared concern over prolonged violence and instability in Libya, and agreed on the need to achieve a political solution to the conflict,” it said.

Egypt, along with the United Arab Emirates, is a supporter of Khalifa Haftar, whose forces have been trying to take Tripoli from forces allied with the internationally recognized government since April 04.

The United Nations envoy for Libya, Ghassan Salame, last month called for a truce in the country and warned that an influx of weapons from foreign supporters, in violation of an arms embargo, was fueling the conflict.

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