Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi affirmed to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis his country's stance on Libya, including restraining the illegal foreign interference that could increase the deterioration of the security situation in a way that affects the whole region.

According to a statement by the Egyptian presidency about the call between the two men on Thursday, Mitsotakis also rejected all foreign interference in Libya and hailed Egypt’s efforts to reach a political settlement and to restore peace in all Libyan territory. He stressed the importance of returning to the political path in accordance with the related UN resolutions and the conclusion of the Berlin conference.

The two leaders also discussed other regional issues, as well ways to boost the joint cooperation between the two countries, including at the bilateral level, and at the tripartite level with Cyprus, especially in the field of energy and gas in the eastern Mediterranean.

The Egyptian president added that the East Mediterranean Gas Forum is an important tool to achieve cooperation between the countries in the region in the field of gas and oil.

Earlier on Thursday, the Greek government warned that it will do "whatever is necessary'' to defend its sovereign rights, in response to plans by neighbouring Turkey to proceed with an oil-and-gas research mission south of Greek islands in the eastern Mediterranean.

The dispute over seabed mineral rights has led to increased navy deployments by both NATO members in the region, where a Turkish research vessel, the Oruc Reis, is being prepared for a survey mission.

The Greek government said the mission is a violation of Greek sovereignty.