World Bulletin / News Desk

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi on Monday called on fighting militias in Libya to lay down their arms and engage in dialogue to end violence in the troubled Arab country.

Speaking during a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi, al-Sisi said Egypt was keen to cement cooperation and coordination with Libya's neighbors, according to presidential spokesman Ihab Badawi.

Monday's talks focused on a wide range of Arab issues, including the situation in Libya, the Gaza Strip, Syria and Iraq.

The talks also tackled efforts by the Arab League to calm down tension in Libya, Badawi said.

The pan-Arab body has recently named a special envoy for Libya. An Arab League delegation is currently visiting the eastern Libyan city of Tobruk.

Libya has been plagued by heavy fighting between a loosely organized army and militias that clung to their weapons following a bloody uprising that ended the autocracy of long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The capital Tripoli has been the scene of fierce clashes between warring militias over control of several vital facilities in the city.

Benghazi, the country's second largest city, has also turned into a battlefield between troops loyal to reneged general Khalifa Haftar and Ansar Al-Sharia militia.

Thousands of Egyptians stranded on Libya border

Egypt's Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri on Monday estimated the number of Egyptians stranded on the Tunisian-Libyan border to be between 5,000 and 10,000 people.

"We have managed to bring around 2500 citizens back home so far," Shoukri said in a press conference following talks with Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa.

Shourki said the evacuation of Egyptian nationals from the border area between Tunisia and Libya needed closer and more intensive cooperation with Tunisian authorities.

Thousands of Egyptians have fled out of Libya to the Tunisian border over the past few days, leaving intense fighting back in Libya.

On Sunday, the Tunisian government decided to carry out a second airlift of Egyptians stranded on its border with Libya.