On Saturday, the US State Department voiced its support for the Libyan people to put an end to foreign interference, stressing that it backs Egyptian efforts to end the Libyan crisis under the auspices of the United Nations.
The ministry confirmed that the Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi’s statement confirms the importance of Libya, its neighbours, and all other external actors working together to strengthen the ceasefire.
“Any direct intervention by Egypt has become internationally legitimate, whether under the UN charter on self-defense or based on the sole legitimate authority elected by the Libyan people: the Libyan parliament,” Sisi said.
The president underlined the outcomes of the Berlin Conference held in January stating that all foreign powers shall refrain from supplying arms to Libyan armed groups.
The president warned in his speech in the Sidi Barani district of the Matrouh Governorate bordering Libya against the foreign intervention there for it composes a threat to regional, European, and global security and stability.
The president called for the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya, and the need for militias to give up their arms to the Libyan National Army (LNA).
Sisi launched a political initiative earlier this month, which he called the “Cairo initiative,” in the hopes of paving a path toward normalcy in Libya and warned against using military tactics to resolve the crisis.
Libya has been mired in chaos since a 2011 uprising backed by Western intervention toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi, only to leave rival warlords fighting for control of the country’s oil wealth and drawing in international powers as the conflict has ebbed and flowed.
Turkey has forged strong ties with GNA head Fayez al-Sarraj, sending him sophisticated drones and air defence systems that helped repel Haftar’s recent operations.