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Egypt military ruler in Libya to boost ties

TRIPOLI — Egypt’s military ruler Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi arrived in Libya on Monday on a visit to boost ties between the two neighbours whose longtime autocratic leaders were toppled last year, an AFP photographer said.

The trip marks Tantawi’s first state visit since the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces which he heads took over following the ouster of president Hosni Mubarak last February after an 18-day popular revolt.

“The visit is aimed at finding new horizons for cooperation and for contributing to the reconstruction of Libya,” an Egyptian military official said.

Tantawi was welcomed by National Transitional Council (NTC) chief Mustafa Abdel Jalil and is also due to meet Prime Minister Abel Rahim al-Kib.

He was preceded to Tripoli by a high-powered delegation of cabinet ministers and businessmen.

Talks with the NTC are expected to focus on infrastructure and reconstruction projects.

“A number of agreements and protocols on cooperation are expected to be signed, including one concerning Egyptian workers entering Libya and their rights,” Egypt’s state-run MENA news agency reported.

The talks will also cover Libyan investments in Egypt and the situation of Egyptian workers in Libya, where tens of thousands work, including many jailed during the uprising that toppled Moamer Kadhafi.