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Egypt and Algeria meet to discuss Libyan crisis

October 23, 2014 at 3:12 pm

The Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry is scheduled to visit Algeria today in order to discuss relations between the two states as well as the crisis in Libya.

An official statement issued by the Algerian foreign ministry said: “The Foreign Minister of Egypt Sameh Shoukry is scheduled to visit Algeria this Thursday for work. Shoukry’s visit comes at the invitation of Ramtane Lamamra, the Algerian minister of foreign affairs.”

“The purpose of this visit is for both sides to discuss regional and international issues that interest both parties, especially the recent developments in Libya.”

Shoukry’s visit was billed “as an opportunity for both sides to assess the value of bilateral cooperation and work to complete preparations for the seventh session of the Joint Higher Committee headed by Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal and his Egyptian counterpart Ibrahim Mahlab.”

No information was given about the length of Shoukry’s visit.

A few days ago, Lamamra denied that there had been tensions between the Egypt and Algeria regarding the Libyan crisis. This meeting is thought to be in response to the rumours that were published in the Arab press.

In a press conference, held in Algiers on October 14, Lamamra said: “There is a sense of coordination and agreement between both countries. We are not in any disagreement, not in any sense of the word.”

Libya is currently suffering from an armed conflict in many cities, especially Tripoli and Benghazi. The conflict is between armed militias trying to take control of the country and they are affiliated with both liberal and Islamist factions. This conflict has led to the establishment of a second government in Tripoli. The internationally recognised elected government is now based in Tobruk.

Both Egypt and Algeria have expressed their support for the government in Tobruk. Egypt has previously been accused in partaking in airstrikes, with the UAE, against targets in the Libyan city of Benghazi. Both Abu Dhabi and Cairo denied the reports.