Egypt reaffirms support for Libya unity in talks with US adviser

Egypt has reaffirmed its support for Libya’s unity and stability during talks with a senior US adviser, as international efforts to revive the country’s political process continue.

In a statement issued early on Friday, Egypt’s foreign ministry said Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty held a phone call with Massad Boulos, a US adviser on African and Middle Eastern affairs, as part of ongoing consultations on resolving the Libyan crisis.

Abdelatty stressed that any solution should be based on a Libyan-led process that leads to the unification of state institutions and a comprehensive political settlement, paving the way for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections as soon as possible.

He also reaffirmed Egypt’s full support for the UN roadmap for Libya.

According to the statement, the Egyptian minister listened to proposals presented by Boulos on ways to move the political process forward, praising international, regional and UN efforts, including those by the United States, to help achieve long-term stability in Libya.

The remarks come amid continued diplomatic activity on Libya, including reports of a US initiative aimed at bringing Libyan parties closer together. Boulos has said Washington’s role is limited to facilitating dialogue, and that any initiative is based on Libyan consensus rather than external imposition.

According to diplomats, Egypt supports a recent “declaration of principles” agreed at a tripartite meeting involving Presidential Council head Mohamed Menfi, House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh, and High Council of State head Mohamed Takala, under the auspices of the Arab League.

The declaration reaffirmed commitment to Libya’s constitutional framework and political agreement, and called for the formation of a unified government to oversee elections.

Efforts to hold elections have stalled since a planned vote was cancelled in late 2021.

Cairo previously hosted a quadrilateral meeting involving Abdelatty and his Saudi and Turkish counterparts, as well as Boulos, where participants stressed the importance of unifying Libya’s political, economic and security institutions as a key step towards holding elections.