Egypt FM, UN envoy discuss withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya

Egypt reiterated 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 Saturday.

Shoukry asserted that Egypt attaches great importance to the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya, according to Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ambassador Ahmed Hafez.

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 neighboring 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”.

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.