After Egypt's warning: Gaddafi's cousin makes key statements on Turkish intervention in Libya

CAIRO – 21 June 2020: Political Officer of the Libyan Struggle Front Ahmed Qazaf al-Dam warned Turkey from the repercussions of intervening in Libya, showcasing that the West would not allow the presence of Turkish forces in the country.

The politician added that Turkey fell in the Libyan trap, and that its forces have just been a means to drain Syria and Iraq, describing the acts of Turkish President Recep Tayip Erdogan in Libya as nonsense.

Qazaf al-Dam, who was the guest of Al-Hadath TV channel Saturday, said that Libya and Egypt share historic and demographic ties. "When Libya was invaded by Italy and Turkey, it received backing from tribes in Egypt," Qazaf al-Dam, who is the cousin of assassinated Libyan President Muammar al-Gaddafi, said.

The politician revealed that the speech of Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi had a positive impact on Libyan tribes and organizations that perceived the Egyptian stance as fixed and clear.

Possible Egyptian 'direct' intervention in Libya becomes legitimate: President Sisi

CAIRO - 20 June 2020: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi checked on the forces in the Western Military Zone Saturday telling them, "The Egyptian Army is one of the strongest in the region. Yet, it is a wise army that protects but doesn't threaten, and is able to defend the national security of Egypt within and beyond its borders."

Qazaf al-Dam said that the Libyan tribes and Armed Forces are able to defend the country if Turkey does not back off. He stressed that Tripoli tribes will not tolerate the Turkish presence in Libya and that Turkey has no future in the country.

Qazaf al-Dam called upon Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to seek the help of Erdogan to fend off aggression against Jerusalem since the latter speaks in the name of Islam.

The politician speculated that Turkey's implication in Syria, Qatar, Somalia, and Libya as well as its conspiracies against Iraq's water shares in Tigris River by building a large dam that holds up 10.4 billion cubic meters will trigger the rage of the Turkish people and the fragmentation of the country.

Qazaf al-Dam underlined that Turks occupied Libya in the past in the name of Islam but abused its people. On the other hand, more than 15 million from Libyan origins have been living in Egypt after they fled the Turkish and Italian occupation. The politician elaborated that the ancestors instructed Libyans not to fight along theTurks or pay them taxes.

Qazaf al-Dam added that the Libyan red lines start from Zawara, Al-Watiyah, Misrata and Sirte, affirming that the Egyptian and Arab national security are at stake as mentioned by President Sisi and perceived by Libya. The politician stated that there is no disagreement among Libyans in different cities.

Qazaf al-Dam described the intended visit of Erdogan to Tripoli on Friday as similar to that carried out by Mussolini under Italian occupation. He warned against that "provoking" visit.

The politician said that Libya has been subject to an international plot aimed at dividing the country since 2011. "Yet, Libya is a unified state," he highlighted, explaining that if Erdogan had good intentions, he would attempt to achieve reconciliation among Libyans.

"There has been wide cooperation between the Egyptian and Libyan armies for a long time,as Libyan soldiers can train in any country. Sending troops to receive training in Egypt doesn't mean the deployment of Egyptian forces in Libya. Yet, Libyans are free to request Egypt's intervention," Qazaf al-Dam said, referring to the statements of Sisi that Egypt only wants peace in Libya and does not eye taking over its resources.

The politicians demanded Erdogan to read history to understand he would regret each stance against Libya, and questioned the passiveness of Arab states with regard to Turkey's violations against his country.

Qazaf al-Dam said that Tunisia and Algeria will not accept that Turkey builds military bases in Libya as that would compose a threat to them. He suggested that Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya hold a summit to discuss Turkey's illegitimate goals in Libya given their harmful impact on them.

Qazaf al-Dam showcased that Algeria can play a positive role in Libya given it had suffered from extremists before. He also asserted that Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives Aguila Saleh represents the parliament, which is the only legitimate authority in the country at present.