TRIPOLI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) -- Libyan Acting Foreign Minister Taher Al-Baour on Sunday met with visiting Syrian foreign affairs chief Asaad Hassan al-Shibani in Tripoli to discuss bilateral relations, according to the Libyan Foreign Ministry.
During the talk, the two sides discussed issues of common interest, ways to advance Libyan-Syrian relations, and means of strengthening bilateral coordination and consultation, the ministry said in a statement.
They also discussed arrangements for reopening the Syrian embassy in Tripoli, which resumed operations on Sunday after 14 years and is expected to strengthen diplomatic communication and facilitate consular services, the statement read.
The talks also covered finalizing procedures to activate the Libyan-Syrian Joint Higher Committee and signing an agreement to regulate its work, which would open broader prospects for cooperation in economic, development, and other areas of mutual interest, it added.
Later in the day, al-Shibani also met with Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamid Dbeibah to discuss bilateral ties.
Al-Shibani's visit is the first by a senior Syrian official to Libya in 14 years, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, as both countries move to restore diplomatic ties and expand political, economic and security cooperation.
The Syrian Embassy in Tripoli was closed in 2012, after Libya's then-ruling National Transitional Council recognized the opposition Syrian National Council as the legitimate representative of the Syrian people. ■
