Fayez al-Sarraj, Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), gives a speech during a military parade. AFP
Fayez al-Sarraj, Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), gives a speech during a military parade. AFP
Fayez al-Sarraj, Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), gives a speech during a military parade. AFP
Fayez al-Sarraj, Prime Minister of Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), gives a speech during a military parade. AFP

Egypt security delegation in Libya capital for rare visit


  • English
  • Arabic

Egyptian security officials on Sunday met representatives of Libya's Government of National Accord, a first delegation in nearly six years from Cairo.

The Interior Minister for the GNA, Fathi Bachagha, held "a high-level meeting" with the Egyptian delegation, which included the deputy intelligence services chief, his office said.

Imed Trabelsi, head of the Libyan general security body, also attended the meeting.

The talks covered "ways of strengthening security co-operation" and support for a ceasefire signed in October between rival Libyan sides under UN auspices, the ministry said.

Libya has been riven by violence since a 2011 Nato-backed uprising that toppled and killed dictator Muammar Qaddafi.

Two rival administrations have vied for control of the oil-rich country for years, with the GNA in Tripoli, supported by Turkey, pitted against the Libyan National Army, led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.

Field Marshal Haftar is supported by a rival administration, the House of Representatives, in the country's east.

Turkish support for the GNA this year helped to repel a 14-month offensive against the capital and the militias employed to defend it.

Turkey has provided troops, weapons and Syrian mercenaries to the GNA, in a move widely condemned by the international community.

The ceasefire struck by the two sides in October has set the stage for elections at the end of 2021.

Sunday's visit was the first made by an official Egyptian delegation to Tripoli since 2014, when Cairo closed its embassy in the Libyan capital because of violence.

The delegation also met the GNA's Foreign Minister, Mohamed Siala.

The aim of the talks was to work to "normalise diplomatic relations" between Tripoli and Cairo and discuss "co-operation in various areas", said Mohammad Elgeblawi, spokesman for the GNA Foreign Ministry.

Mr Elgeblawi, said the delegation pledged to reopen the Egyptian consulate "as soon as possible" and to re-establish air links between the two capitals, which have been interrupted for several years.

The visit comes days after Field Marshal Haftar said that his forces would "prepare to drive out the occupier by faith, will and weapons", referring to Turkish troops.

Turkish Defence Minister Hulusi Akar was in Tripoli on Saturday and vowed that any attack by the LNA on Turkey's personnel in Libya would be met with force.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE