Sisi calls for rapid action to stop escalation in Libya

CAIRO – 6 April 2019: In his speech at a press conference with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi called for putting an end of the ongoing conflict in Libya, said Egyptian presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi in a statement on Saturday.

"The President affirmed that rapid action and the international community's combined efforts are necessary to put an end to the deteriorating situation [...] and to limit the spread of extremist groups," the statement read.

President Sisi also affirmed Egypt's support to re-establish the Libyan national institutions and unify the Libyan military institutions, the statement added.

Three days ago, Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, whose Libyan National Army took base in Tobruk, announced military advance on Tripoli against the Libyan troops of the internationally-recognized government led by Prime Minister of the Government of National Accord Fayez Al Sarraj.



In a joint press conference with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Shoukry, the Russian minister stated that the military operation taking place in Libya l to capture Tripoli and clashes with the militias dominated the talks between Egypt and Russia.

Lavrov stressed the importance of not leveling accusations at any parties highlighting that NATO caused the destruction of Libya and that no justification for what is happening should be made.

However, the minister expressed his country’s rejection to the use of fighter jets in battles between both parties who are the Libyan National Army and militias affiliated with the Government of National Accord. The operation was launched on Thursday.

Libyan factions held talks in the Moroccan city of Skhirat as per a United Nations initiative and came up with the Libyan Political Agreement signed on December 17, 2015. Accordingly, an internationally recognized interim government was formed bearing the name the Government of National Accord having as prime minister Fayez Al Sarraj and being headquartered in the capital, Tripoli.

The Libyan National Army led by Field Marshall Khalifa Haftar and based in Tobruk has been controlling the eastern territories of the country. Haftar was appointed as commander of the army on March 2, 2015 by the Libyan House of Representatives.

The Libyan National Army recaptured the cities of Benghazi and Derna in 2017 and 2018 respectively through “Operation Dignity.” The operation was launched in 2014 and since then has regained control over many oil facilities and ports.

Additional reporting by Noha el-Tawil