Egypt’s intelligence chief, Libya’s Haftar discuss local, regional developments in Benghazi meeting

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Egypt's intelligence chief met Eastern Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar on Sunday to discuss local and regional developments and ways to strengthen coordination between the two sides, Egyptian media reported.

Maj. Gen. Hassan Rashad held talks with Haftar in Benghazi in the presence of Libya’s Chief of General Staff Lt Gen. Khaled Haftar, the state-run Al-Qahera News channel said.

The broadcaster said Rashad conveyed greetings from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to Haftar and praised the development of relations between the two sides. He emphasized the importance of strengthening bilateral ties between Egypt and Libya.

The two sides reviewed local and regional developments and underscored the importance of continued communication and coordination in a manner that serves shared interests, it added.

The meeting follows a Saturday visit by Egyptian Chief of Staff Lt Gen. Ahmed Khalifa to Benghazi, where he met Haftar during the closing session of the first conference of chiefs of staff from Mediterranean Basin and Sub-Saharan African countries held from Feb. 10-12.

Libya remains split between two rival administrations: the internationally recognized Government of National Unity, led by Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh and based in Tripoli, which governs western Libya, and an eastern-based government appointed by the House of Representatives in early 2022 and headed by Osama Hammad, operating from Benghazi and administering the east and much of the south.

The UN has for years sought to bridge divisions between the rival institutions and pave the way for long-delayed parliamentary and presidential elections aimed at reunifying the oil-rich country.