Egypt signs deals with Libya, including for flight resumptions

TRIPOLI, Libya

Egypt and Libya signed memorandums of understanding in the Libyan capital Tuesday during an official visit by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli.

The memorandums include the resumption of civilian flights between the two countries.

"I instructed the [Egyptian] Aviation Ministry to immediately allow receiving planes from Libyan cities at Cairo Airport," Madbouli said at a press conference with his Libyan counterpart Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh in Tripoli.

Madbouli stressed that his country is keen to strengthen partnerships with Libya in all fields of interest between the two countries.

For his part, Dbeibeh said his government seeks to take practical steps with the Egyptian side by signing agreements in various fields including electricity, telecommunications, infrastructure, transport and investment so as to be "a positive start in launching a new phase of partnership between the two countries."

He added that the Egyptian embassy and consulate will reopen soon.

In 2014, the Egyptian embassy in Tripoli was closed and Egyptian flights with Tripoli were halted as fighting took place between Libya’s internationally recognized government and militias loyal to Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, whom Egypt backed.

Madbouli is the highest Egyptian official to visit Libya since 2010 and was accompanied by 11 ministers.

*Ahmed Asmar contributed to this report from Ankara