Militias not able to advance further in Sirte, army to defend Libya through all means: Commander Khaled al-Mahgoub

CAIRO – 20 July 2020: The Libyan National Army (LNA) Mobilization Commander Khaled al-Mahgoub affirmed that Militias affiliated with the government of National Accord were located 140 kilometers away from Sirte, indicating that they would not be able to advance any more towards the city.

Mahgoub added in statements to MBC Masr Sunday night, that the Libyan army is committed to not escalate the situation any further as per agreed to the Cairo initiative, and that Sirte considers to be a ‘red line’ that cannot be approached’.

‘Any approach by Militias near to that area will be faced and confronted immediately through all means’ Mahgoub said.

He noted that Turkey started already to mobilize mercenaries, however,‘the army is ready to defend our country’ Mahgoub added in his statements.

On July 16,  Egypt’s President Abdel Fatah Al Sisi commented on possible Egyptian intervention in Libya, during meeting with Libyan tribal leaders, promising that Egypt will intervene "only at the Libyans' request and withdraw upon their order.” Sisi added that Egypt is willing to receive and train youth from tribes to help build a Libyan national army.

The Libyan-Egyptian conference held under the theme “Egypt and Libya one people …one destiny” aimed at activating the free will of the Libyan people for a better future and for serving the coming generations.

Sisi affirmed during the conference that Egypt supports the unified Libyan state, excluding armed and extremist militias. He added that the Sirte-Jufra red line shall not be crossed, describing it as a call for peace by Egypt to activate the political solution in the country.

He affirmed that Egypt hopes Libyan tribes will help resolve the crisis.

Condemning the presence of militias in the war-torn country, Sisi stressed Egypt’s rejection to allow outlawed elements to take Libya as a resort and called on tribal members to get involved in a unified national army and allow only state institutions to possess weapons.

The president affirmed that Egypt rejects foreign interference in the Libyan affairs and seeks political, social, military stability in the western neighbor.

“Egypt’s defense of Libya and vice versa is a commitment that comes as a result of national solidarity between the two countries,” Sisi said, adding that the heroic actions by the Libyan people, on top of which those of leader Omar Al-Mukhtar, and their struggle over the ages to achieve independence prove their rejection of foreign interference.