Egypt Daily News – On Saturday, May 31, 2025, the Egyptian capital Cairo hosted a tripartite meeting that brought together the foreign ministers of Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria. The meeting aimed to reactivate the Libya Neighboring Countries Mechanism, originally launched in 2017 and suspended in 2019. It came amid escalating security tensions in Libya, particularly in the western region, with the three countries seeking to coordinate efforts in support of Libyan stability.
The meeting was attended by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aati, his Algerian counterpart Ahmed Attaf, and Tunisian Foreign Minister Mohamed Ali Nafti. The talks focused on the latest developments in Libya, emphasizing the importance of preserving the country’s unity and territorial integrity, respecting state institutions, and rejecting all forms of foreign interference.
The ministers also called for the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libyan territory.
They expressed full support for a Libyan-Libyan political solution, free from external influence, aiming to eventually hold simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections. The ministers underscored the need for continued cooperation and coordination between Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia to support Libya and its people during this critical phase.
The final statement from the meeting called on all Libyan parties to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions—especially in the capital, Tripoli—and work toward a comprehensive political settlement under the auspices of the United Nations.
This tripartite meeting reflects the commitment of Libya’s neighboring countries to work together to promote stability in the country. It comes at a pivotal time that requires unified regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace.
Libya has suffered from deep political and institutional division since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, with a UN-recognized government based in Tripoli and a rival administration in the east. The presence of armed militias, mercenary groups, and foreign forces has created a fragile security situation that experts warn could explode at any moment.
Previous efforts to unify Libya’s institutions or hold general elections have failed, due to ongoing regional and international rivalries. In response, neighboring countries such as Egypt, Tunisia, and Algeria are attempting to play a more direct role in supporting intra-Libyan dialogue and providing a regional framework to help reach a lasting political solution.
