‘Egypt will not stand idly by’: Here is what Sisi said about apparently imminent military intervention in Libya

CAIRO – 17 July 2020: Meeting with Libyan tribal chiefs on Thursday, who reportedly represented all Libyan people, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said what has been seen as a starting line for imminent military intervention in Libya, to fight “outlawed” elements and terrorist groups. He also set conditions and regulations.

Egypt Today displays Sisi’s most prominent remarks during the conference in points:

- Egypt will not allow Libya to become a new hotbed for terrorism or outlawed elements, even if it means that Egypt has to intervene directly in Libya.

- Egypt will not stand idly as it watches activities that threaten its national security.

- Egypt will intervene at the Libyans' request and will withdraw upon their order.

- Egypt has the strongest Army in the region and Africa, but it is wise and does not assail or invade other territories.

- The Egyptian Army needs the Parliament’s approval to intervene in Libya.

- The Egyptian Army, in the event of intervening, will be led by Libyans carrying the Libyan flag.

- One of the parties to the Libyan conflict (apparently referring to the Government of National Accord) fell under control of a foreign power and lacked the political will to apply ceasefire.

- This foreign power (apparently referring to Turkey) uses this faction for certain purposes in the region, regardless of the Libyan national interest.

- Egypt is willing to receive and train youth from tribes to help build a Libyan national army.

- Sirte-Jufra red line is a call for peace by Egypt to activate the political solution in Libya.

- Egypt rejects foreign interference in Libya and seeks political, social and military stability.

- Mercenaries are still being moved from Syria to Libya, to seize Libyan resources, especially oil, and threaten the security of neighboring states.

At Libyans’ request

The elected Libyan House of Representatives invited Monday 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 the following day, the Supreme Council of Sheikhs and Lords of Libya supported the Libyan parliament’s calling for an Egyptian military intervention in Libya to end the Turkish unlawful existence.

The council’s spokesperson Sheikh Al Senousi said in press statements that any Egyptian intervention to protect the national security of both Libya and Egypt is totally justified.

Al Senousi added that all the Arab countries should participate in such intervention as Libya is considered to be an Arab cause, an Arab country that is being occupied by foreigners.

Al Senousi said that the council will send a delegation to meet the Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al Sisi in order to discuss the possibility of a military intervention in the face of the Turkish unlawful existence.

Later, 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.

Legitimate intervention

In June, Sisi checked on the forces in the Western Military Zone, telling them, "the Egyptian Army is one of the strongest in the region. Yet, it is a wise army that protects but doesn't threaten, and is able to defend the national security of Egypt within and beyond its borders."

The president 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.

"I'm so happy to meet you today. I got assured about the high status of your combat and technical competence. I see the Air Force and Special Forces are ready to accomplish missions," the president told forces.

الرئيس السيسي: الخطوط الحمراء التي تم إعلانها في سيدي براني هي بالأساس دعوة للسلام

الرئيس السيسي: الخطوط الحمراء التي تم إعلانها في سيدي براني هي بالأساس دعوة للسلام وإنهاء الصراع في ليبيا اشترك الآن: https://goo.gl/NQkcZ5 فيسبوك: https://w...

"Be ready to accomplish any mission whether here within our borders or - if needed – beyond our borders," president Sisi addressed the Air Force elements in the Western Military Zone.

Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Radi announced the news saying that Minister of Defense and Military Production Mohamed Zaki, Chief of Staff Mohamed Farid, and branch commanders were present.

The president warned in his speech in Sidi Barani district in Matrouh Governorate bordering Libya against the foreign intervention in Libya for it composes a threat to regional, European, and global security and stability.

The president asserted the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya, and the necessity that militias give up their arms to the Libyan National Army (LNA).

"Any direct intervention by Egypt in Libya has become legitimate in line with UNSC resolutions, and upon the call of the legitimate authority in Libya," President Sisi said.

The president underlined the outcomes of Germany Conference held in January stating that all foreign powers shall refrain from supplying arms to Libyan armed groups.

"If Egypt had illegitimate goals in Libya, we would have intervened years ago. We would not accept that history documents that we intervened in time of Libya's weakness…Jufrah and Sirte are a red line…The current line must be maintained. The party who would not respect it, would attain neither the west nor the east. The political process must go forward," the president tells a representative of Libyan tribes.

Additional reporting by Egypt Today Staff and Noha Al Tawil