Sisi briefed on developments in Libya and efforts to implement ceasefire

 

CAIRO -23 September 2020: President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi received on Wednesday at Al-Ittihadiya Palace Speaker of the Libyan Parliament Ageela Saleh, and Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army, in the presence of Abbas Kamel, head of the Egyptian General Intelligence.

 

Presidency Spokesperson Bassam Rady said that the president was briefed during the meeting about developments in Libya and the efforts of all parties to implement a ceasefire on the one hand, and Libyan efforts to advance the peace process under the auspices of the United Nations on the other hand.

 

Sisi lauded efforts exerted by Speaker of the Libyan House of Representatives to unite executive and legislative institutions in Libya.

 

The president also hailed Libyan military, led by Haftar, over confronting terrorism and committing to ceasefire.

Sisi also called on all Libyan parties to work on reaching a solution for the Libyan crisis according to the outcome of the Berlin Summit and the Cairo Declaration.

 

Ageela and Haftar hailed Sisi and Egypt’s crucial role to entrenching peace and stability in Libya via supporting the Libyan institutions to combat terrorism and extremism groups and encouraging parties to return to the negotiating table to reach a political solution to the crisis.

 

In July, the Egyptian House of Representatives has authorized President Sisi to the “take necessary measures” to protect national security, giving the president a green light to send troops to Libya.

 

This came in a closed session on protecting the Egyptian and Libyan national security against terror threats. The session was attended only by the Parliament members and the general secretariatof the House.

 

A week earlier, Sisi said at a meeting with Libyan tribal chiefs in Egypt that any Egyptian military intervention in Libya may only materialize upon a request by the Libyan people and permission from the Egyptian House

 According to Article 152 of the Egyptian constitution, the state has to seek the Parliament’s approval before declaring war or sending its forces in combat missions.

 

The members attending the session are not authorized to disclose any details of the discussion inside this secret meeting.

 

During his meeting with the tribal chiefs on July 16, Sisi said Egypt has always stood by a peaceful solution in Libya through encouraging negotiations between Libyan factions. However, it will not stand idly as it watches activities that threaten Egypt’s national security.

 

“Egypt has the strongest Army in the region and Africa,” he said, adding that it is, however, wise and does not assail or invade other territories.

 

He noted that in case the Egyptian forces entered Libya, they will be led by tribal leaders carrying the Libyan flag. He added that the army intervention in Libya has to be approved by the Egyptian House of Representatives.

Sisi promised that Egypt will intervene "only at the Libyans' request and withdraw upon their order.”

 

Sisi addressed,on September 22, several ongoing topics during the speech he gave at the United Nations’ 75th General Assembly which was held virtually due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.

 

President Sisi said that his country is committed to a political solution for the current crisis in Libya based on the Skhirat agreement, the Berlin conference, and Cairo’s declaration which set a schedule for establishing a consensual government.

 

The president said that the current conflict in Libya harms the stability of the neighboring countries, adding that his country will protect its National Security if the armed clashes reached Sirte and Jufra cities.

 

“Egypt is keen to support the Libyans in their battle against the terrorist militias and unlawful regional intervention,” added Sisi.

 

Civil war broke out in Libya after the toppling of long-time ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, who was later killed. Numerous militias are fighting for power and influence in the country, with Tripoli-allied militias backed by Turkey, Qatar, and Italy. Meanwhile, eastern-based military commander KhalifaHaftar’s Libyan National Army is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France, and Russia.