(Author: Libyan Gazette Editorial Staff)
Nikos Kotzias, the Greek Foreign Affairs Minister, said that Greece is attempting to moderate between the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) and Egypt with the hope that the mediation will increase the validity of the Libyan Political Agreement signed in Skhirat, Morocco in December 2015.
The Greek minister met with members of the GNA soon after his arrival in the Libyan capital on Monday.
On Monday, Kotzias held a joint press conference with Mohammed Sayala, the GNA’s Foreign Affairs Minister, where he said Greece is mediating with the intention of establishing progress towards Libya’s internal stability through strengthening its relationships with other countries along the Mediterranean Sea, especially its neighbour Egypt.
“By the beginning of 2017, Greece is cherishing the reopening of the embassy in Tripoli and is looking forward to forming a joint establishment of universities,” said Kotzias.
At the press conference, Sayala spoke of the refugee crisis, a challenge that both Libya and Greece are struggling with as it puts pressure on their countries’ resources.
This comes as Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi made a statement last week reiterating Egypt’s support for renegade General Khalifa Haftar and his self-proclaimed “Libyan National Army” (LNA).
“It is our country’s priority to back up national armies, for example in Libya, to assert control over Libyan territories and deal with extremist elements,” said Sisi in his statement.
