Mismari: Sisi has always backed Libyan Army

CAIRO – 1 August 2018: Libyan National Army spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari praised President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for formally announcing supporting the LNA, saying that such announcements are vital as Libya’s enemies deceive people and use media to mislead them.

During the sixth edition of the National Youth Conference, President Sisi affirmed Egypt's support to the LNA in its combat against armed groups and militias. He also stressed on the importance of the unity of the Libyan army and the need to hold elections in Libya as soon as possible.

In his interview with eXtra news, Mismari said that the Egyptian president has always supported the LNA and that his statements came after he deeply studied the situation in Libya. He added that Sisi is a military person who knows how to analyze the strategic situation.

The LNA spokesman praised the age-old Egyptian role in supporting Libya, saying that Egypt has even supported Libya in natural crises and tribal fights which Turkey had caused, according to him. He added that Egypt is keen to continue such efforts.


Qatar's role in Libya

Mismari said that al-Qaeda organization and the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Libya Shield Force tried to control oil institutions and export projects, and also tried to pass a lot of laws that would give them a bigger chance to control Libya.

During the interview, Mismari said that the efforts of those [conspirers] were foiled by the unity of the Libyan people, adding that this unity stopped Qatar from carrying out more plans.

Mismari said that following the 2011 incidents in Libya, which led to the death of then President Muammar al-Qaddafi and the rise of Islamists to power in Libya, Qatar received some of these Islamists in its most luxurious hotels and organized meetings for them with Qatari politicians and then-ruler of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa. He further added that these elements went back to Libya with Qatari grants and money.

The LNA spokesman said that after the Dignity Operation was launched in 2014, Qatar started to lose everything, and it definitely lost all the money it paid in Libya.

Mismari said that a number of terrorist camps supported by Qatar started to completely disappear, adding that Qatar has nothing left in Libya except some elements the LNA leadership knows well. He said that a full report on Qatar and other countries’ interventions including secret meetings, communications, and funds will be published in the right time.

The LNA forces earlier announced full control of the oil crescent which reportedly incorporates about 80 percent of Libya’s oil, after fierce clashes with rival militias that had controlled the region.

A spokesman for the Eastern Libyan Forces announced on June 21 that the forces are in full control of the Es Sider and Ras Lanuf oil ports in the country's oil crescent.

How Brotherhood, Qaeda view election

Mismari said that the Muslim Brotherhood and al-Qaeda fear losing the Libyan presidential and parliamentary elections that are set to be held in December, as this will lead them to completely leave the political scene; therefore, they do not want elections to be held.

Consensus between the four Libyan reps. on finalizing a constitutional base for elections by Spt.16th , and to to have presidential and parliamentary elections on Dec.10th this year

— Taher EL-Sonni (@TaherSonni) May 29, 2018

They lost the last parliamentary election after they allied with each other in 2011, issued a number of laws and decisions, held full control over Libya, referred thousands of army men to retirement, destroyed the military institution and established the Libya Shield Force as an alternative army, and the Supreme Security Committee as an alternative police force, Mismari said.

Mismari stressed that they could never forget this loss.

Mismari said that Muslim Brotherhood tries to prevent the upcoming elections from being held, saying that elections cannot be held without a constitution. Mismari revealed that the Islamists’ demand to create a constitution first is part of their plan to stay for more years in power.

He added that the current constitution is full of defects and was created to serve the Muslim Brotherhood group.

In late May, Libya’s main rival leaders agreed on running presidential and parliamentary elections in December. They also agreed to finalize a constitutional base for the elections by September 16, 2018.


French President Emmanuel Macron hosts a meeting at the Elysee Palace that aims to end the Libyan crisis in the presence of Libya’s four main rivals, including head of the Libyan High Council of State Khaled Mishri, General Commander of Libyan National Army Khalifa Heftar, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj and speaker of the eastern House of Representatives Aguila Saleh – Twitter/Taher Al-Sonni
This came in a meeting hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, with the aim of ending the Libyan crisis, in the presence of Libya’s four main rivals, including Head of the Libyan High Council of State Khaled Mishri, General Commander of Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar, Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj, and speaker of the Eastern House of Representatives Aguila Saleh.