CAIRO, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met Libya's eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar here on Monday, reaffirming Cairo's support for a unified Libya while urging national elections to resolve the country's political deadlock.
During the talks, Sisi called for the withdrawal of all foreign mercenaries from Libya and for simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. He also praised Haftar for his role in "supporting security and stability" in the country.
While Egypt officially backs a political solution and national unity in Libya, it maintains close ties with Haftar and his Libyan National Army (LNA), viewing the force as a key bulwark against Islamist militants. Egypt shares a 1,100-kilometer desert border with Libya and relies on the LNA to prevent instability from spilling over. Haftar, in turn, pledged continued coordination with Cairo on regional security threats.
Libya has been divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi. The country remains split between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, backed by Haftar.
Sisi and Haftar also discussed the conflict in neighboring Sudan, noting that its stability is closely linked to the national security of both Egypt and Libya. ■
