Tripoli— A Libyan delegation held a meeting Saturday with the new Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus during which prospects for cooperation in the political, economic and security fields were discussed.
The delegation, headed by Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs Walid Ellafi, conveyed greetings of Libya’s UN-recognized government of Abdulhamid Dbeibeh and promised the support for the Syrian people and its new leadership, according to a statement released on government’s Facebook platform, Hakomitna.
“We expressed our full support for the Syrian authorities in the success of the important transitional phase,” Mr. Ellafi told reporters after the meeting as quoted by AFP.
“We emphasized the importance of coordination and cooperation… particularly on security and military issues,” he said, in addition to cooperation “related to energy and trade” and “illegal immigration” as quoted by AFP.
During the meeting, the two sides discussed upgrading diplomatic missions in both countries. “Today the charge d’affaires attended the meeting with me and we are seeking a permanent ambassador,” Ellafi added.
According to Hakomitna, “the two sides also discussed during the meeting the risks facing the region, in addition to issues of common interest that contribute to achieving regional security and stability.”
Power in Libya is divided between the of the Government of National Unity (GNU) based in the capital Tripoli and a rival administration in the east, backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar who also controls the south.
The delegation included along with Ellafi the Minister of Labor and Rehabilitation Ali Al-Abed, and the Director of the Military Intelligence Department, Major General Mahmoud Hamza.
