JUBA, May 3, 2018 (MENA) - Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry arrived in Juba on Thursday to participate in the opening session of the meeting of the South Sudanese National Liberation Council (NLC), an offshoot of Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM), the country's ruling party. The meeting, to last till Saturday, comes within the framework of close and distinguished relations between Egypt and South Sudan. Shoukry is participating in the meeting on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, said Egypt's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid. South Sudan's invitation to Egypt to participate in the conference along with a few other African heads of state reflects the deep and special nature of the Cairo-Juba relationship, the spokesman said. The meetings aim to back the efforts of SPLM reunification, he said. Egypt's participation comes in light of its persistent efforts to maintain peace and stability in South Sudan, he added. Cairo has provided support for South Sudanese President Salva Kiir's initiative to form a national dialogue committee, he said, indicating that Egypt has hosted and co-brokered the talks of the Arusha Agreement on the reunification of South Sudan's ruling party.
