Egypt, Libya FMs probe situation after Skhirat deal

Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry probed with his Libyan counterpart Mohammed al Dairi the political and security situation in Libya after initialing the Skhirat peace deal.

The pair tackled the need that other Libyan parties sign the deal for the formation of a national accord government to fight terrorism, build state institutions and achieve the people’s aspirations for a modern democratic state.

Shoukry underlined Egypt’s stance in support of the Libyan people and efforts by United Nations special representative to Libya Bernardino Leon, Foreign Ministry spokesman Badr Abdel Aati said.

He said international efforts have to continue to ensure that the remaining Libyan parties sign the Skhirat deal, which was initialed by the legitimate government and other parties, the spokesman added.

Opposing factions in Libya's civil war have agreed to terms for the formation of a unity government but negotiations have been marred by the abstention of the country's rival Tripoli administration which walked out of talks on 8 July.

The Tripoli administration, which has the backing of a powerful coalition of militias known as Libya Dawn, has said it will not accept the peace terms unless its authority is recognized.

Libya has been locked in a bitter power struggle between an Islamist government in Tripoli and its internationally recognized government in Tobruk since August last year when Libya Dawn militias seized control of the nation's capital.