"I hope the Libyan Government continues to help protect the Indonesian citizens in Libya, including those said to have been smuggled into Libya by force," the president said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a bilateral meeting with Libyan Prime Minister Faiz Al-Siraj on the sidelines of the Fifth Extraordinary Summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) here on Monday.
Jokowi expressed his gratitude to the Libyan authorities for protecting Indonesian nationals in Libya.
"I hope the Libyan Government continues to help protect the Indonesian citizens in Libya, including those said to have been smuggled into Libya by force," the president said.
He also thanked the Libyan government for facilitating the repatriation of Indonesian nationals from the Middle Eastern country. Some 200 Indonesians have been repatriated since 2014.
President Jokowi called for strengthening the bilateral economic ties between the two countries.
He particularly mentioned Indonesian businessmens interest in exploring and investing in the energy, oil and gas fields.
The two countries also need to encourage their private sectors to actively participate in enhancing bilateral trade.
"Indonesian state-owned construction companies are ready to help in the field of infrastructure and housing development in Libya," he said.
Furthermore, the two nations are also eager to step up cooperation in the field of health.
Prime Minister Faiz Al Siraj asked Indonesia to help improve the health sector in his country. (*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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