Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said his country has a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and ordered his army to be ready to carry out any mission outside the country, if necessary.
Sisi’s comments came amid high tensions over regional rival Turkey’s intervention in Libya. He also warned forces loyal to the internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli not to cross the current frontline with Khalifa Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).
Turkey’s support for the GNA has reversed a 14-month assault on Tripoli by forces loyal to Haftar, which are backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
“Any direct intervention from the Egyptian state has now acquired international legitimacy,” Sisi told an audience after inspecting military units at an air base near the border with Libya.
He said Egypt has the right to defend itself after receiving “direct threats” from “terrorist militias and mercenaries” supported by foreign countries, in an apparent reference to some armed groups loyal to the GNA and supported by Turkey.
The main aims of any intervention would include protecting Egypt’s 1,200-km (746-mile) western border, helping achieve a ceasefire, and restoring stability and peace in Libya, he said.
Before his speech, Sisi addressed several air force pilots and special forces personnel at the base, telling them: “Be prepared to carry out any mission, here inside our borders – or if necessary, outside our borders.”
The UAE and Saudi Arabia expressed support for Egypt’s desire to protect its security and borders. There was no immediate reaction from Turkey or the GNA.
However, pro-AKP Turkish media widely condemned Sisi, while reiterating Ankara’s objective of establishing two permanent military bases in Libya.
Yeni Safak English quoted Libyan High Council of State member Abdurrahman Shater’s tweet that Egypt has intervened in Libya’s internal affairs for four years. Its report also said- citing military sources- that Ankara and Tripoli’s cooperation is becoming more thorough as Al-Watiya airbase is being re-operated for Turkey, adding that Ankara will put anti-aircraft systems and drones inside Al-Watiya airbase, as they proved successful in operations against Haftar’s forces.
It also said that rebuilding projects have already begun as Turkey is willing to provide massive contributions to reconstruct the destruction caused by the nine-year war.
It also indicated that oil drilling and exploration activities are going to start as well between Ankara and Libya, in addition to giving Turkey another military base in Misrata, according to Yeni Safak.
It said Turkey worked to resolve the Libyan conflict using not only ground and air forces but also the naval force, creating a naval missions force off the Libyan coast, helping to thwart threats from the sea to the country.
It is believed that both Egypt and Russia are alarmed by pro-Turkey NGA’s plans to advance to the city of Sirte. Turkish and international experts conjecture that war between Egypt and Turkey’s proxies in Libya is unlikely, however, belligerent rhetoric by both sides could reflect poorly on market sentiment, when both countries badly need foreign investment to heal their Covid-stricken nations.
You can follow our English language YouTube videos @ REAL TURKEY: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKpFJB4GFiNkhmpVZQ_d9Rg
And content at Twitter: @AtillaEng
Facebook: Real Turkey Channel: https://www.facebook.com/realturkeychannel/