On Thursday, Libyan Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of National Unity and Head of the Southern Development Authority, Ramadan Abu Janah, met with British Ambassador to Libya, Martin Longden, to discuss key issues including economic cooperation and current political developments.
A post on Abu Janah’s Facebook page stated that the meeting highlighted the urgent need for Libyan parties to come together to promote development and reconstruction in the south. They emphasized that this would positively impact the region, given its wealth of natural resources, water, solar energy, and its academic institutions, which could play a key role in creating a strategy for the region’s stability and prosperity.
The British Ambassador reaffirmed the UK’s support for Libya’s political process, stressing the importance of progressing towards free and fair elections to secure the country’s stability.
In terms of medical cooperation, the two sides explored ways to enhance collaboration, including transferring and localizing technology in Libya and inviting British companies specializing in hospital management to run some health facilities. They also discussed strengthening partnerships between the private sectors of both countries.
Abu Janah praised the quality of British medicines and expressed his support for increasing imports of medicines and medical equipment from the UK. He called for swift action from relevant authorities to settle any outstanding debts and expedite the implementation of supply contracts signed with British companies through the Public Tenders Committee, with the approval of the Administrative Control Authority.
The meeting was attended by Counselor Ahmed Al-Ayat, Head of the Southern Office, and on the British side, Political Affairs Counselor Farouk Al-Najeh and political team member Yon Hersin.
At the close of the meeting, Abu Janah thanked the UK, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a strategic partner of Libya, for its support and its significant role in the Security Working Group, part of the UN-led Berlin process for Libya.