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Foreign Secretary visits Libya and Tunisia
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson made his first visit to Libya yesterday (Thursday) to support fresh efforts towards a unified and stable government.
The Foreign Secretary met Libyan Prime Minister Fayyez Al-Serraj and Foreign Minister Mohamed Siala to discuss the challenges faced by Libya’s Government of National Accord and how the UK can support Libyan efforts to re-establish security, stability, and prosperity for the Libyan people
The Foreign Secretary also met Abdurrahman Swehli, President of Libya’s High State Council. In these meetings, Mr Johnson underlined the importance of Libya’s legitimate political institutions working together to break the political deadlock which is prolonging instability and the suffering of the Libyan people.
Speaking after the visit to Tripoli, the Foreign Secretary said:
Libya’s political and social groups need to seize the momentum offered by the welcome meeting between Prime Minister Seraj and Marshall Heftar earlier this week to set out a path towards Libyan reconciliation and unity.
Security, stability and prosperity can only be achieved when the country’s leaders choose to get together and work out a plan for the common benefit of the Libyan people.
Establishing effective governance is also the key to defeating terrorism in Libya and countering illegal migration.
The meetings in Tripoli followed talks recently (Wednesday) in Tunis with Tunisian Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui on counterterrorism cooperation, UK assistance in improving the Tunisian security situation, and boosting trade.
On his visit to Tunisia, Mr Johnson said:
It was a pleasure to visit Tunisia for the first time and to meet my counterpart for our first bilateral talks. The UK is a long term partner and friend of Tunisia and will continue to cooperate closely on security, counterterrorism and trade.
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