Sisi, Haftar discuss Libyan crisis in Cairo

CAIRO – 9 May 2019: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA), in Cairo, said Egyptian presidential spokesperson Bassam Radi in a statement on Thursday.

During the meeting, which was attended by Egyptian head of Intelligence service Abbas Kamel, President Sisi was updated on the latest developments on the Libyan crisis, stressing Egypt's support for counter-terrorism efforts to bring security and stability in Libya, Radi said.

President Sisi also expressed his country’s keenness that Libya can restore legitimacy in a way meets the aspirations of Libyan people towards safe and dignified life, Radi added.


President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with Libyan commander Khalifa Haftar, the head of the Libyan National Army (LNA) in Cairo on Thursday, May 9, 2019


Haftar praised Egypt's efforts in fighting terrorism and supporting peaceful solutions to the Arab crises. He also discussed Libyan efforts to address foreign interference in Libyan internal affairs.

On April 14, 2019, Sisi met with Haftar discussing the ongoing escalation in Libya.
Since April 4, LNA troops have taken military advance on Tripoli-based militias affiliated to the internationally-recognized government led by Faiz al Sarraj.

The Tobruk-based Libyan National Army has controlled 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.