Egypt's military ruler flew Monday morning to the Libyan capital of Tripoli, where he will hold talks with transitional authorities, state-run news agency MENA said. The head of Egypt's ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, will lead a delegation comprising the ministers of foreign affairs, petroleum, communication and international cooperation, as well as other SCAF members, MENA said. Egypt hopes to play a role in Libya's reconstruction efforts. Talks between the delegation and Libyan authorities will address the implementation of energy projects and coordination to return Libyan investments in Egypt's petroleum, communications and information technology sectors. Tantawi is scheduled to meet with the head of Libya's National Transitional Council, and the countries will sign agreements that increase Egyptian electricity supplies to Libya and stipulate maintenance for damaged power stations. The two countries will also agree on short- and medium-term projects for Libya's reconstruction. In August, Egypt officially recognized the NTC as Libya's legitimate government, paving the way for them to take control of the Libyan Embassy in Cairo and hold their seat in the Arab League. In November, NTC Chairman Mustafa Abdel Jalil met with Tantawi in Cairo, a move said to indicate the two countries' desires to widen their cooperation after their respective revolutions. About 2 million Egyptians resided and worked in Libya during former leader Muammar Qadhafi's rule. More than 300,000 Egyptian workers fled during the Libyan revolution.
