Libyan National Army: Egypt has the right to intervene in Libya to protect security of both countries

CAIRO - 15 July 2020: In light of escalations in the Libyan scene, the Libyan National Army (LNA) stressed in a statement that Egypt has the right to intervene militarily in the Libyan territories, as the country is a real security partner to Libya.

 

For his part, Khaled al- Mahjoub, director of the Moral Guidance Department of the Libyan National Army, said that Turkish drones had bombed irrigation pipes near Sirte.

 

"I do not think that the Turkish military can move, because the land is open and requires sufficient air cover.. We are ready for any attack by the Turks and mercenaries," he said.

 

Mahjoub explained that the infirtlation of 10,000 mercenaries from Syria to Libya is very difficult, especially that the lands are open, and require air cover.

 

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Libyan Speaker of Parliament, Abdel Hamid Safi, told Sky News Arabia that the militias pose a threat to the Libyan and Egyptian national security.

 

He added, "We will confront any progress made by the Tripoli forces towards Al-Jafra and Sirt." He also pointed out that the external meetings conducted by Speaker of Libyan Parliament Aquila Saleh all focused on a political solution to the Libyan crisis.

 

LNA Prime Minister Abdullah al-Thanni discussed with Libyan Foreign Minister Abdel-Hadi al-Hawaij the United Nations proposals to choose a special representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations.

 

According to the Libyan government media office,  Thani stressed that the selection of an international envoy to Libya is necessary to coordinate with the international community on the Libyan crisis.

 

awaij briefed the Libyan prime minister on the recent moves regarding coordination on the regional and international levels to reject the brutal Turkish aggression against Libya.

 

The two sides also discussed coordination mechanisms for holding a Libyan conference for national reconciliation in the city of Sirte, in addition to discussing the current government preparations to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Libyan National Army.

 

Earlier, the speaker of the Libyan Parliament met his Italian counterpart in Rome, to discuss the latest Libyan developments.

 

The media advisor to the President of the Council, Abdel Hamid al-Safi, confirmed that the meeting dealt with Saleh's political initiative to solve the Libyan crisis. The two sides also discussed the Cairo Declaration Initiative proposed by President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi.

 

He also indicated that the two sides discussed expanding cooperation between the Italian and Libyan parliaments.

 

On July 14, the elected Libyan House of Representatives invited the Egyptian Armed Forces to directly intervene in the country whenever there is a threat to the national security of both states, emphasizing the ongoing Turkish aggression and exquisiteness.

 

On June 20, Egypt's President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi declared Libyan cities Sirte and al-Jufrah a red line, that if crossed, a direct intervention by Egypt will be “internationally legitimate.” That is because Egypt would act based on a request by the elected House of Representatives and the Libyan tribes, who have already asked for Egypt’s support against Turkey.