US, Egypt stress importance of holding Libyan elections on scheduled date

The United States and Egypt stressed the importance of holding elections in Libya on the scheduled date, i.e. on December 24.

This was stressed in a joint statement released on Tuesday evening  by the State Department following the US-Egyptian strategic dialogue held on November 8 – 9, under the chairmanship of Secretary of State Antony Blinken and his counterpart Sameh Shoukry.

The statement also expressed the two sides’ support for the 5 + 5 Joint Military Commission action plan to remove all foreign forces, fighters and mercenaries from Libya.

The sides also discussed Sudan, the resolution of regional conflicts, and the humanitarian crises in Syria, Lebanon and Yemen and agreed to continue high-level consultations on African and Middle Eastern issues.

Egypt commended the U.S. role in its economic development and its supply of defense equipment, and joint cooperation to reinforce Egypt’s defense capabilities.
The United States expressed its appreciation for Egypt’s leadership in mediating solutions to regional conflicts, particularly to promote peace and end violence in Gaza.

With regard to the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the United States renewed President Joe Biden’s support for Egypt’s water security, and called for the resumption of negotiations to reach an agreement on the Renaissance Dam under the auspices of the Chairperson of the African Union, in line with the Presidential Statement of the United Nations Security Council of September 15, 2021, and the 2015 Agreement on Declaration of Principles.

The two sides held a constructive dialogue on human rights and fundamental freedoms, including civil and political rights, freedom of expression, fighting racism, women’s empowerment, and economic, social, and cultural rights, the statement said.

The dialogue took place as human rights groups urged the Biden administration, which pledged to put human rights at the centre of US foreign policy, to take a firmer stance against Egypt over the country’s human rights record.