Tripoli, 18 November 2013:
Despite the ongoing political crisis in Libya, the President of the General National Congress (GNC), Nuri Abu Sahmain, flew to Kuwait today to attend the 3rd Africa-Arab Summit. He was accompanied by the Foreign Minister, Mohamed Abdulaziz and Congressman Ibrahim Sahed. They were received at Kuwait airport tonight by the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Over 70 delegations from countries and international organisations are expected to attend the two-day summit, including more than 30 heads of state.
“Kuwait’s endeavour to host the Arab-African summit is based on its strong belief in the importance of deepening cooperation and bridging the communication gap between the Arab and African countries,” the Emir said. “This is aimed at establishing strategic partnership to protect mutual interests and strengthen ties in various fields; especially the political, economic, trade and cultural sectors.”
He added that global conditions had made it “imperative for Arab and African countries to come closer and cement a solid principle of cooperation to achieve mutual goals.”
The last summit was in Libya in 2010.
Abu Sahmain’s decision to go to Kuwait has caused little surprise. With his popularity falling as a result of his perceived political alliances, his involvement in the creation of the Libyan Revolutionaries Operations Room and his decision to bring in forces from outside the capital, including Misrata, he has been keeping an increasingly low profile in Tripoli since the kidnapping of the Prime Minister last month. [/restrict]