UAE voices support to Egypt’s stance on Libya, right to defend its security

CAIRO – 20 June 2020: The United Arab Emirates affirmed its support to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s remarks on Libya on Saturday, and said it backs Egypt’s measures to protect its security and stability, Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported.

Sisi checked on the forces in Egypt’s Western Military Zone and said that the Air Force, the Special Forces, and the Border Guards have been securing 1,200 kilometers of borders with Libya for seven years, and accomplishing missions that have not been disclosed. Sisi urged them to "be ready to accomplish any mission whether here within our borders or - if needed – beyond our borders."

In a statement, UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation hailed Egypt’s efforts to reach a comprehensive political settlement in Libya, including the Cairo initiative, which is “consistent with all relevant international resolutions”.

The ministry said the Sisi’s keenness to restore security and stability in Libya “stems from an authentic Arab orientation as an integral part of Egypt’s security and stability and Arab national security.”

The ministry also hailed Egypt’s keenness to prevent bloodshed among Libyan people, create conditions for ceasefire and start comprehensive political negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations and in accordance with the outcome of the Berlin Conference on Libya and the Cairo Declaration, which called for ending the presence of militias and stopping foreign intervention and any support to extremists in Libya.

The ministry reiterated UAE’s stance that promotes for an immediate ceasefire in Libya and commitment to the political process. It also affirmed the need to stick to the political solution as the “only acceptable solution” to end the conflict in Libya and achieve stability that Libyan people seek.