Bissau – March 12, 2026 His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Libyan Government, Dr. Abdulhadi Al-Hwaij, accompanied by his delegation, arrived on Thursday in the capital, Bissau, of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, on an official working visit at the invitation of His Excellency the Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Communities of Guinea-Bissau, Mr. João Bernardo Vieira. The visit comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral relations and advancing prospects for joint cooperation between the two countries. During the visit, the Libyan Foreign Minister held an expanded bilateral meeting with his Guinean counterpart at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bissau. The meeting began with both ministers recalling the long-standing bilateral relations extending over more than five decades, emphasizing that these ties are not recent but are rooted in deep historical and humanitarian bonds within their shared belonging to the African continent. They noted that this visit represents an important step toward elevating bilateral cooperation to a broader level of strategic partnership. During the discussions, the Libyan Foreign Minister reviewed the latest political developments in Libya, reaffirming the Libyan Government’s firm position in support of the country’s unity and sovereignty, and its commitment to achieving peace, stability, and national reconciliation through a purely national ownership process. He also highlighted the pivotal role played by the Libyan Arab Armed Forces in combating terrorism and consolidating security and stability across various regions, which has contributed to enhancing development efforts and stability in large parts of the country. The two sides also discussed ways to develop bilateral relations in political, economic, and social fields. They agreed to work on drafting a memorandum of understanding for joint cooperation, as well as forming a joint higher committee between the two countries, in preparation for signing it during the anticipated visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau to the city of Benghazi. The meeting further addressed the possibility of opening reciprocal consulates in Benghazi and Bissau, following the example of several African and Arab countries, in order to facilitate the movement of citizens and strengthen consular cooperation. It also explored the development of joint programs to enhance partnership and cooperation between the two friendly nations. For his part, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau expressed his appreciation for the visit, affirming his country’s keenness to strengthen relations with Libya and open new horizons for bilateral cooperation. He also expressed his aspiration to visit the city of Benghazi soon to continue consultations and activate areas of cooperation between the two countries, in a manner that serves the interests of the two friendly peoples and strengthens their presence within the African sphere.