Cairo, Tripoli discuss outcomes of Libyan dialogue

By Diana Shalhub

ISTANBUL (AA) – Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry held talks over the phone with his Libyan counterpart Najlaa al-Mangoush on Saturday to discuss efforts to implement the outcomes of Libya’s political dialogue.

According to a statement by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, the two top diplomats discussed ways to strengthen relations between Cairo and Tripoli and exchanged views on developments in Libya.

The discussions also touched on efforts to implement all outcomes of the Libyan political dialogue, the statement said.

According to the statement, al-Mangoush accepted an invitation by Shoukry to visit Egypt, but without specifying a date.

Last week, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli visited Tripoli along with 11 ministers, marking the highest Egyptian official to visit Libya since 2010.

On Feb. 5, Libya's rival political groups agreed during UN-mediated talks in Geneva to form an interim government to lead the country to elections this December. Libyan delegates elected Mohammad Menfi to head a three-member Presidential Council and Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh as the new prime minister.

Libyans hope the government will end years of civil war that have engulfed the country since the ouster and killing of strongman Muammar al-Qaddafi in 2011.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara