Mubarak and al-Qathafi discuss Darfur crisis, regional issues
Egypt-Libya, Politics, 2/18/2005

Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak yesterday held important talks with Muammar al-Qathafi, the leader of the Libyan revolution. The two leaders discussed regional and international issues of common interest, and ways of developing bilateral relations.

Ambassador Solaiman Awwad, the Presidential spokesman said the two-hour talks between the two leaders also dealt with conditions in the occupied Palestinian territories and means to protect achievements made at Sharm El-Sheikh conference.

Awwad said the talks further took up conditions in Iraq in the post-elections period and conditions in Lebanon after the assassination of former prime minister Rafic Hariri.

The Egyptian-Libyan talks also touched on conditions in the Sudanese region of Darfur, said Awwad, adding that the viewpoints of the two leaders were identical on the importance of pursuing efforts exerted by the two countries, along with members of the five-way committee, to follow up the results of the summit held in Tripoli last year in the presence of President Mubarak.

Awwad said the two leaders stressed the importance of backing efforts exerted by the African Union to settle Darfur crisis within an African framework without internationalising the crisis. The presidential spokesman said Mubarak received an invitation from the Libyan leader to visit Tripoli and continue consultations.

Asked about the five-way summit held in Chad on Wednesday, the spokesman said that President Mubarak had delegated Minister of Shura Council Affairs Mufid Shehab to attend the summit.

On Egypt's stance regarding announcements on Wednesday by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, during a press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Abul Gheit on the democratic process in Egypt and the issue involving the detention of Al Ghad party leader, the spokesman said Egypt rejects any foreign interference in its internal affairs, adding that Egypt is a democratic country.

The presidential spokesman said Al Ghad party case is being considered by the Egyptian judicial system which, he stressed, had a reputation for integrity.

Awwad went on to explain that the case was of a pure criminal nature, and that it had absolutely no political dimensions.

On reports that Egypt would host another five-way summit on Darfur, presidential spokesman Awwad said Egypt has not received any official notification in this respect.

But he cited statements by the spokesman for the Nigerian presidency that Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, the current president of the African Union, wished to hold a meeting at the level of the five-way group in Cairo. The spokesman said that the results of Chad summit must be studied before holding any meeting.

Awwad said the Egyptian-Libyan talks also tackled the exigency of clearing the Arab atmosphere and activating joint Arab action in addition to means to ensure the success of the coming Arab summit in Algers.

The talks further tackled the issue of expanding the UN Security Council membership following reports strengthening the role of the international organisation on ending disputes by peaceful means.

Asked if Egypt has named an Egyptian ambassador to Israel, the spokesman said the matter was being worked out. The spokesman said President Mubarak was invited by al-Qathafi to visit Libya for sustaining consultations. A tete-a-tete session was held between the two leaders who were later joined by the members of the two countries delegations.

Talks were attended on the Egyptian side by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, Defence Minister Field marshal Mohammad Hussein tantawi, Interior Minister Habib Al Adly, Minister of Information Anas Al Fiqi and on the Libyan side by Moussa Koussa, Beshir Saleh and Ahmed Qzzaf Al Dam.

The two leaders continued talks on a working lunch which was hosted by President Mubarak in honour of the Libyan leader and his accompanying delegation.

al-Qathafi arrived in Cairo yesterday on a three day visit and was welcomed at the airport by Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif.

Previous Stories:
  Mubarak, Qathafi discuss Arab issues over phone   (2/3/2005)
  Mubarak probes with Qathafi conditions in the Arab states, Africa   (12/29/2004)
  Egyptian, Libyan officials meet on bilateral relations   (11/9/2004)

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