Libyan army talks continue in Egypt; 3 leading councils established

Cairo – 20 October 2018: The Libyan army factions have agreed on Friday to name Khalifa Haftar as the main leader of the National Army’s General Command. Three leading councils were established within the army.

According to statement issued by Libyan National Army (LNA) spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari regarding the Libyan army unity talks, the main three newly established councils are the National Security Council, the Supreme Defense Council and the General Command Council.

All of the councils’ structures, tasks and duties were discussed and agreed upon during the talks.

All of the factions which attended the meetings discussed new suggestions to control the armed groups within certain locations in Libya. No new suggestions were issued by the Egyptian party according to the statement.

In August, Mismari praised President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi for officially announcing support for 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 TV Channel, 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.