Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Saturday said that Egypt has the right of international legitimacy at this point, based on the United Nations Charter, to militarily intervene in the Libyan crisis.
During a televised speech at the Western Military Zone, Sisi added that Egypt has also received support from the Libyan House of Representatives to intervene in the Libyan crisis.
Any intervention will aim to protect and secure the western borders from terrorist militias, Sisi explained, and to restore stability to Libya’s territories and thereby maintain the stability of Egypt and Arab national security at large.
Egypt is working towards a ceasefire at Libya’s eastern and western borders, while also preparing to launch comprehensive political settlement negotiations under the auspices of the UN and to implement the resolutions of the Berlin Conference and the recently announced “Cairo Declaration“, backed by Khalifa Haftar and Libya’s parliamentary speaker Aguila Saleh.
Sisi also called to raise the Egyptian army’s level of military readiness to carry out operations in Egypt and Libya.
He praised the Egyptian army’s combat capabilities and hailed it as one of the strongest armies in the region, describing it as a rational army that protects but does not threaten.
The Cairo Declaration takes into consideration the international resolutions, UN efforts, and Berlin Conference resolutions towards ending the Libyan crisis, Sisi explained, paving the way for the future of Libya following the withdrawal of foreign forces and the dissolution of military militias.
Egypt works towards peace first and foremost, and calls to resolve the crisis through political means that meet the needs of the Libyan people and respects international law.
Sisi also issued a warning to all Libyan and foreign parties from forcibly seizing the strategic city of Sirte and al-Jafra, calling them the “red line” for Egypt’s national security.
The president’s remarks and visit to the Western Military Command came a day after the release of 23 Egyptians who were detained in the Libyan city of Tarhuna.
A video showing militia members abusing Egyptian laborers in Libya went viral on Tuesday, triggering anger among social media users and Egyptian officials.
President Sisi instructed authorities to return the abducted laborers.
Egyptian authorities managed to secure their release and return them home safely.
