Pompeo, Egyptian counterpart discuss Daesh, Libya

By Umar Farooq

WASHINGTON (AA) - U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo discussed a number of bilateral and regional issues with his Egyptian counterpart Monday.

The telephone called included efforts against terrorist groups Daesh and al-Qaeda, according to a statement from State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus.

"The Secretary and the Foreign Minister [Sameh Shoukry] shared concern over prolonged violence and instability in Libya, and agreed on the need to achieve a political solution to the conflict," Ortagus said.

The call comes after Egyptian defense chief Gen. Mohamad Zaki visited the Pentagon last month and met Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. The two sides discussed a host of defense and security issues, including "threats emanating from Iran, Libya, and terrorists in the Sinai."

Libya has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a bloody NATO-backed uprising after four decades in power.

The oil-rich country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, with which Haftar is affiliated, and the Tripoli-based GNA, which enjoys UN recognition.

Clashes between the two sides since then have left more than 1,000 people dead and about 5,500 wounded, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

Egypt is the second largest recipient of foreign assistance from the U.S. after Israel.