Egypt calls on Britain to support Libya’s ‘legitimate government institutions’

Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry discussed bilateral relations and anti-terrorism efforts with his British counterpart Philip Hammond, on the sidelines of the 10th International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue Forum in Bahrain, on Saturday.

Shoukry detailed recent developments in Libya to Hammond following a conference last week in Khartoum between the foreign ministers of Libya and its neighbouring countries.

Shoukry emphasised the importance of supporting “legitimate government institutions” in Libya and backing “the Libyan government’s efforts to restore stability and security in the country”, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Egypt has been supportive of the internationally recognised Libyan government, which is currently exiled in the eastern city of Tobruk. Parallel government institutions in Tripoli are under the control of Islamist political groups backed by heavily armed militias.

The foreign minister’s remarks to Hammond echoed the message of his speech to the Manama summit on Saturday, in which he emphasised the importance of using non-military strategies to defeat terrorism “ideologically”.

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