Egyptian parliament approves possible intervention in Libya

Egyptian MPs on Monday (July 20) approved a possible armed intervention in Libya if the forces of the government in Tripoli, supported by Turkey, continue their advance towards the east of the country, Parliament said. The House unanimously approved the sending “Elements of the Egyptian army in combat missions outside the borders of the Egyptian state, to defend national security”, according to a statement from Parliament.

If Parliament does not directly cite the “Libya”, the debates focused on this neighboring country, the deputies having discussed “Threats facing the state” to the west, where Egypt shares a porous border in the middle of the desert with warring Libya.

The vote, which was held behind closed doors, comes the day after a meeting between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi with the National Defense Council which includes the Speaker of Parliament, the Minister of Defense, the minister of foreign affairs and army commanders. “Egypt will spare no effort to support Libya”, they agreed during this meeting, calling for a “Commitment to a political settlement”, according to the Egyptian presidency.

Article reserved for our subscribers Read also Libya: Turkish plans of Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Tripolitania

Libya, which has the most abundant oil reserves in Africa, is torn by a struggle for influence between two rival powers: the Government of National Unity (GNA), recognized by the UN and based in Tripoli, and Marshal Khalifa Haftar, who reigns over the east and part of the south of the country. The first is supported by Turkey, which has troops there, and the second by neighboring Egypt, the United Arab Emirates and Russia.

Sissi said Thursday during a meeting with representatives of eastern Libyan tribes that Egypt would not stay “Inert” facing a “Direct threat” on its national security and that of Libya.

Last week, the parliament based in eastern Libya that supports Khalifa Haftar said it agreed to Egyptian military intervention in the event of a threat to the security of the two countries.

“Political settlement”

Opposite to the Libyan question, Egypt and Turkey have maintained strained relations since the dismissal in 2013 of Egyptian Islamist President Mohamed Morsi, supported by Ankara.

In June, after the advance of GNA forces against those of Marshal Haftar on the ground, the Egyptian president proposed a cease-fire, the withdrawal of mercenaries and the dismantling of militias in Libya. Ankara and the GNA rejected the plan.

Mr. Sissi had warned that any advance of the GNA forces to the east could trigger an Egyptian military intervention, while Tripoli focused its efforts in the direction of Sirte.

Article reserved for our subscribers Read also American revival in Libya

Calling on Marshal Haftar to withdraw his forces from this strategic city and negotiate a ceasefire, the GNA called the Egyptian position ” declaration of war “. However, Cairo considers Sirte, which opens access to Libyan oil fields, as a ” Red line “.

The situation in Libya was at the center of a telephone interview Monday between Mr. Sisi and US President Donald Trump, according to the Egyptian presidency. The two men agreed to “Maintain the ceasefire in Libya and avoid an escalation, in order to be able to launch negotiations for a political settlement”, according to the same source.

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has been plunged into chaos and multiple-fronted conflicts, made more complex by the increased presence of international actors.

Libya, new Syria?

The World with AFP

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here