A military helicopter crashed during a military exercise at night in the southeastern governorate, killing three soldiers, Tunisian state media reported on Tuesday.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said that a military technical team has been assigned to determine the cause of the crash.

During the phone call, El-Sisi reiterated Egypt’s support for the procedures and efforts made by Saied to achieve stability in Tunisia, a statement by the Egyptian presidency read.

He affirmed Egypt’s readiness to harness its capabilities to provide the necessary support to the Tunisian side in this regard in light of the distinguished, brotherly relations between the two countries.

Saied voiced Tunisia’s appreciation for the close relations with Egypt on the official and popular levels and its keenness to exert more effort to push forward bilateral cooperation.

This especially includes enhancing communication between Egypt and Tunisia on the economic level, and maximising trade exchange and investments, Saied said.

The Tunisian president also affirmed his interest to benefit from the Egyptian experience in light of its accomplishments in the security, stability, and development fields in recent years at the domestic level.

In late September, Egypt welcomed Tunisia’s assignment of Najla Bouden as the prime minister of the country, hailing the step as the country’s “movement towards the future under the wise national leadership” of Saied.

Bouden is the first to be given the post since Saied sacked the government of Hichem Mechichi and suspended the activities of parliament on 25 July.

Egypt has repeatedly affirmed its support to Saied in the wake of his actions in July, calling them “historic” and reiterating its trust in Saied’s “wise leadership.”

El-Sisi and Saied also discussed joint efforts to face the coronavirus pandemic.

Ending the Libyan crisis

During the phone call, the two leaders also agreed on the need to intensify coordination regarding the Libyan crisis.

They confirmed their commitment to end the Libyan crisis in a way that paves the way for the restoration of security, stability, and sovereignty to Libya.

This will only be possible by complying to the roadmap agreed upon by Libyans, which stipulates that the presidential and parliamentary elections should be held — as scheduled — by the end of the year.

They also affirmed the need for the exit of all foreign forces and mercenaries from Libya in accordance with international resolutions.