Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh arrived in France on Tuesday, where he had bilateral talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian as a part of his visit to France. During the meeting, Libya’s joint participation with France to the 2nd Berlin Conference, which will be held on June 23, was discussed. Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush and State Minister Adel Jumua accompanied Dbeibeh during the meetings.
Prime Minister Dbeibeh referred to France’s support for the Government of National Unity (GNU) and underlined the effectiveness of international efforts for Libyan sovereignty. The situation of foreign mercenaries in the country was also mentioned.
Prime Minister Dbeibeh, who is also Libya’s Minister of Defense, met with the French Minister of the Armed Forces Florence Parly on the same day. In the meeting, collaboration opportunities were discussed in terms of ensuring border security in the southern part of Libya. During the talks, which were attended by Minister of Interior Khaled Mazen and Minister of State Adel Juma, cooperation in the security sector and the Libya-France Joint Committee, which is planned to be established between the two countries, were discussed. Prime Minister Dbeibeh emphasized that “respect for the unity and solidarity of Libya determines the basis of relations with different countries”. In addition, Dbeibeh stated that, as the GNU, they plan to take their relations with France to a higher level in the political, security and economic fields.
Dbeibeh showed the importance he attributes to relations with European Union (EU) countries with his visit to France after a tour of Italy, which took place just one day before. Dbeibeh, with the participation of Libyan officials and Italian companies, attended an economic conference in Rome discussing the role that Italian companies can play in Libya’s restructuring.
Some analysts have pointed out that Dbeibeh sought to get the support of these two countries, who are actively involved in the region, to solve border issues in the southern part of Libya, most notably in Mali, Chad, and Niger.
