Jabarov: Egypt's armed forces can help Libya restore statehood

14 July 2020


The intervention of the Egyptian army in the Libyan conflict can help Libya restore its statehood, but we should strive for a political solution to the situation, said first Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Foreign Affairs Vladimir Dzhabarov.


The house of representatives of Libya – the Parliament in the East of the country – allowed the Egyptian armed forces to intervene in the Libyan conflict, according to its statement issued on Tuesday.


"Of course, political negotiations are necessary to resolve the situation. But if the Egyptian army helps Libya restore its statehood, it will be good," Dzhabarov said.


He recalled that it was the Egyptian army that managed to restore statehood in Egypt after the actual overthrow of Mohamed Morsi, and now the country is successfully developing.


"It is clear that Egypt is concerned about the destabilization of the situation in Libya," the Senator said.


In Libya, the conflict continues between the Government of National Accord (GNA) of Fayez Sarraj, which controls Tripoli and territories in the West of the country, and the Libyan National Army (LNA) under the command of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, which cooperates with the Parliament sitting in the East. The GNA is supported by Turkey, while the LNA is supported by Egypt.


In late June, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said that Egypt was ready to help Libyan tribes fight against foreign interference by training and arming them. The President also stated that any direct intervention by Egypt in Libya now had legitimacy under international law. According to him, the "red line" for the advance of troops is the city of Sirte, located about 900 kilometers from the border with Egypt, and the province of Jufra.


Russia is making efforts to resolve the Libyan conflict. In particular, it participated in the international conference on Libya in Berlin in January, the main result of which was a call for a ceasefire and a commitment to refrain from interfering in the conflict, observing the arms embargo on the parties. The Russian Federation also supported the "Cairo initiative" of Egypt, which includes a cease-fire on the entire territory of Libya from June 8 and the terms of a political settlement.


Russia has repeatedly stated that there is no alternative to a peaceful solution to the conflict in Libya.

 

GSV "Russia - Islamic World"

Photo: Federation Council

Based on materials from RIA Novosti