President El-Sissi intends to intervene in Libya

SANAA, June 21 (YPA) -President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced on Saturday Egypt’s intentions to intervene in Libya, saying: “Any direct military intervention from Egypt in Libya is aimed at a ceasefire and has become an issue of international legitimacy.”

There are external forces supporting terrorist groups in Libya,” he said. “This poses a threat to Egypt’s national security.

He warned that any attack on Sirte or the inland Jufra air base by forces loyal to the UN -supported but weak government in Tripoli would amount to crossing a “red line.”

“The Egyptian armed forces will move into Libya if the Libyans ask them to do so,” he said, referring to the forces led by General Khalifa Haftar, with Saudi-backed Emirati support.

They called on the Egyptian Air Force to “prepare to carry out missions outside Egypt.” This brings to the fore the Egyptian airstrikes on the positions of the so-called Brotherhood “Government of National Accord” in Libya in 2013.

Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are pressuring Egypt to push for an Egyptian military intervention parallel to the Turkish military intervention, which supports militants of the Muslim Brotherhood’s groups in Libya, under the umbrella of the so-called “Libyan Government of National Accord.”

On Saturday, el-Sissi spoke while inspecting Egypt’s air force and commando units stationed in the Sidi Barrani air base in the country’s western region along the porous desert border with Libya.

After el-Sissi speech, Saudi Arabia expressed “support for Egypt’s right to defend its western borders from terrorism” and the UAE”, saying it “stands with Egypt in protecting its security and stability.”

While Saudi and Emirati media have begun broadcasting videos of Libyan groups supporting the Egyptian president’s “support for the Libyan National Army,” the decision to intervene in Libya with Saudi-Funded Emirati funding is evident.

E.M