Mubarak sends top delegates to Tripoli with message to Gaddafi
Egypt-Libya, Politics, 1/22/2004

Egypt, Libya maintain 'strong' relations President Hosni Mubarak yesterday dispatched senior officials to Tripoli with a message to Libya's Leader of the Revolution Colonel Muammar al Qathafi.

The delegation was led by Secretary-General of the National Democratic Party (NDP) and Minister of Information Safwat el-Sherif, Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher and President Mubarak's Political Adviser, Osama el-Baz, the Middle East News Agency (MENA) said.

Minister of Information Safwat el-Sherif stressed to reporters after meeting the Libyan leader that relations between Egypt and Libya are "strong."

El-Sherif added that the message which he and members of the Egyptian delegation delivered to the Libyan leader covered Arab, regional and international issues.

"The message also dealt with the outcome of President Mubarak's recent meetings with Arab leaders," el-Sherif said, adding that President Mubarak had sent and received several messages from Arab leaders on Arab relations, the future of the joint Arab action, and preparations for the upcoming Arab summit.

El-Sherif stressed that the relations between the two countries cannot be affected by media reports or statements.

Diplomatic sources in Tripoli put the reported tension within the context of Libyan "irritation" over Egyptian press criticism of its decision last month to renounce efforts to develop weapons of mass destruction.

Gathafi's message to Mubarak "The Libyan President conveyed a message to President Mubarak on many issues including the Arab stand, the African summit and bilateral relations," el-Sherif said.

On measures taken by both countries regarding the border between them, el-Sherif said the measures had been misunderstood by border officials.

"We shouldn't forget that the Libyan leader is the one who demolished the barrier between the two countries and that he has initiatives of which we are proud," he added.

For his part, Libya's Secretary of the General People's Committee for Foreign Liaison and International Cooperation, Abdul Rahman Shalqam described relations between Cairo and Tripoli as "special and intimate."

Shalgam welcomed the Egyptian delegation, saying that the visit was an opportunity to discuss all bilateral, regional and international issues.

On restrictions put by Libya recently on Egyptian travellers, Shalgam said he had contacts with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher in this respect.

"Libya is suffering from the problem of illegal immigration. Egyptians who enter Libya illegally risk drowning, and then it is reported that those persons are on Libyan territory.

"Libya is not responsible for illegal immigrants," Shalgam told reporters.
Libya last week dropped the visa requirement but still requires Egyptians to produce a work contract and residence permit, or furnish proof that they are carrying US$350.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak: our relations with Libya are strong   (1/21/2004)
  Contacts between Egypt, Libya to solve visa problem restores normalcy   (1/12/2004)
  Libya denies preventing Egyptians from entering its territories   (1/10/2004)

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