Egypt condemns Turkish parliament approval to send forces to Libya

CAIRO, 2 January 2020: Egypt strongly condemned on Thursday, the Turkish parliament approval of a memorandum of understanding presented by the Turkish president to send military forces to Libya.

The Foreign Ministry affirmed in a statement that the MoU, inked between Chairman of the Libyan Presidential Council (PC) Fayez al Sarraj and the Turkish government on security and military cooperation, is ‘null and void’.

The Ministry’s statement highlighted the blatant violation of the Turkish parliament’s move to all the international accords and UNSC resolutions, especially 1970 resolution, issued in 2011, which created Libya Sanctions Committee and banned any arms supply to and military cooperation with the war-torn North African country unless such actions were approved by the committee.

The ministry reiterated its refusal and objection to the two MoUs, signed by Turkey and Sarraj, stressing that it would not recognize any actions could ensue from such deals.

Egypt also warned against any Turkish military intervention in Libya and its repercussions.

The statement added that such interference could jeopardize the Mediterranean regional stability, and that Turkey would shoulder full responsibility in this regard.

It also stressed the unity of Arab stance, rejecting any foreign interference in Libya, which was approved by the Arab League Council in its emergency meeting held on December 31, 2019.

The statement also pointed out to the dangerous role played by Turkey through its support to the terror organizations, citing moving extremist Syrian fighters to Libya.
It called on the international community to bear its responsibility and tackling such move, which could cause regional escalation.

Earlier on Thursday, Turkey’s Parliament voted for Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s proposal to send Turkish troops to Libya, which is expected to deepen the Libyan crisis and mount tensions in the Middle East and North Africa.

Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), which constitute the majority of the Parliament, supported the bill, while the opposition, the Peoples' Democratic Party and the Republican People's Party stood against it.

The bill, which aimed to give one-year mandate to Erdogan to send troops to Libya, says the objective of sending troops is to “protect” the Turkish national interests against security risks posed by “illegal armed groups in Libya," in indication to the Arab-supported Libyan national army led by Khalifa Haftar.

During an extraordinary meeting for the Arab League (AL) Council on Dec. 31, Egypt has affirmed its stance regarding the Libyan crisis.

According to presidency spokesperson Ahmed Hafez Egypt's Permanent Representative to the Arab League Alaa Rushdy pointed out in his speech to the danger of recent Turkish moves on the security and future of Libya.

He also warned of sending Turkish forces to Libya, which threatens the whole MENA region.

Furthermore, the Egyptian mission stressed the importance of reaching a political solution that paves the way for the return of security and stability in Libya.

The council highlighted its rejection of any foreign interference in Libya's domestic affairs through deploying militias in the war-torn country or violating international resolutions to impose an arms embargo there.