On Saturday, the Libyan Council of Sheikhs and Elders in Tarhouna voiced its absolute support for the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s speech on Libya.
In a statement, the Libyan Council stressed its complete support for el-Sisi’s speech, which emphasized Libyan sovereignty and the need to preserve it by defending Arab national security.
Earlier today, el-Sisi stressed that he had called for a comprehensive settlement in Libya, noting that any direct Egyptian intervention has become internationally legitimate, according to the UN Charter and the Libyan House of Representatives.
He confirmed that Egypt will never allow any threat to the security of its western borders with Libya.
The Council also affirmed that Egypt’s intervention in the Libyan conflict is ‘legitimate’, saying that it comes in line with the Joint Arab Defense Treaty.
They noted that Egypt and Libya, throughout history, stood united against foreign enemies, whether in the Libyan war against Italy, or Libya’s strong support for Egypt in the 1973 war against Israel.
“Today, we are exposed to Turkish colonialism, which seeks to control our capabilities, plunder our wealth, destroy the social fabric, revive the Ottoman legacy, as well as turn Libya into a place for terrorists, mercenaries and ISIS militants,” the statement from Egypt’s president read.
It added: “We are in a real battle that cannot be deferred, as our enemy has tipped his hands and uncovered his real ambitious intentions to control Libya.”
Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 uprising backed by Western intervention toppled longtime ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi only to leave rival warlords fight for the control of the country’s oil wealth and draw in international powers as the conflict has ebbed and flowed.
Turkey has forged strong ties with the GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, sending him sophisticated drones and air defence systems that helped repel Haftar’s recent operations.