Egypt is prepared to assist Libya as much as it can, Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr said on Friday during a visit in Paris.
Amr said that Libya is part of Egypt’s national security and therefore Egypt should play a role in Libya. Libyans themselves asked for Egyptian assistance when Mahmoud Jibril, head of Libya’s National Transitional Council, visited Cairo, Amr said.
He added that Jibril expressed a desire on the part of Libyans to cooperate with Egypt. He also asked for Egypt’s assistance in the field of education, health and training.
Amr also said Egyptian companies have an opportunity to share in Libya’s reconstruction, particularly since several of them have worked in Libya, in addition to the large presence of Egyptian laborers in Libya.
Speaking about the Friends of Libya conference, which was held in Paris, Amr said Egypt participated in the conference because Egypt and Libya have historical ties. He also said that Libyans need to establish a new state with better education programs and health services.
He described Libya as a rich country and added that the release of Libya’s frozen funds is one of the conference’s goals, because Libya needs the money for reconstruction.
Commenting on news reports that France is ready to support Libya in return for 35 percent of Libyan oil, the French Foreign Minister said that it is logical for every country to secure its interests.
Translated from the Arabic Edition
