Egypt, Germany pool efforts to solve Libyan crisis

Egypt and Germany have agreed on Tuesday to intensify their efforts to reach a comprehensive solution to the Libyan crisis.

While on a visit to Egypt, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas has discussed with Egyptian officials a number of regional issues of bilateral interest, including the Libyan and Syrian conflicts.

The two sides agreed on the need for a Libyan solution which would preserve the state’s resources and its national institutions, and limit foreign interference and thus contribute to eliminating terrorism.

Egyptian officials emphasized Egypt’s stance supporting a solution in Syria to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of the country.

Germany is organizing later this year an international conference to be attended by heads of state concerned with the Libyan crisis and whose purpose is to outline the guidelines for a political settlement.

The meeting will bring together all Libyan rival factions for a comprehensive solution to the extended eight-year conflict.

The German meeting is expected to give all rival factions consideration and break away from the traditional troika of the military establishment led by Libyan National Army Field-Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the Presidential Council and the Government of National Accord headed by Fayez al-Sarraj, and the House of Represe headed by Aqeela Saleh.

Libya has fallen into chaos since a 2011 uprising that toppled and killed long-ruling dictator Moammar Gadhafi. A number of armed groups are now vying for control of the country.