Hours before the 2020 senate elections, Al Ahram sat down with Dr. Ali Abdel Aal, speaker of the Egyptian house of representatives to discuss major issues currently occurring in Egypt. One of the questions Abdel Aal was asked was concerning the growing Turkish presence in Libya and how this affect's Egypt's national security.
Abdel Aal View on Libyan Dilemma
"This is a severe issue that directly threatens the national security of our nations. On the western borders, radical armed militias have devastated Libya, which has had strong ties with Egypt for centuries. In most cases these groups fight for their own interests, be they financial or political," he assured.
The plan, which has become clear to almost everyone now, is to pide that country into cantons led by armed militias serving foreign interests.
Two memorandums of understanding have been signed by Turkey and the Libyan Government of National Accord’s Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj in Tripoli, illegally designating maritime zones of influence for the Turks, who will in turn enhance their military presence in Libya.
Thousands of armed militiamen have been shipped from Syria to Libya via Turkey, bringing about the same destruction and fears and heightening the differences between Libyans, as well as creating a firewall on the western border of Egypt. When national security is threatened, then the leadership should look deeper into the evolving crisis before the flames reach Egypt’s doorstep.
"Egypt has always sided with the Libyans’ aspiration to maintain the unity of their lands. We believe that a fair and solid settlement of the Libyan issue will not be viable but through Libyans themselves."
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the Cairo Declaration in June, which aims to settle the Libyan conflict.
The initiative, according to Abdel-Aal, supported a ceasefire, starting on June 8, that obligated foreign powers in Libya to withdraw and dismantle the armed militias.
"Our country has enough means to deter and enforce its will when decided. Soft and hard powers are envisaged and exchanged when necessary to help Libyans reject the Turkish interference in their internal affairs," the speaker said.
Turkey’s primary target is to pide and lead Libya, and to blur the people’s identity to levy its tight grip over the country’s resources. Therefore, the parliament in Egypt has called upon Libyans to unify their ranks, and to do away with the political and armed conflict.
"The international community should also take their responsibilities and confront Turkey’s interference, which has escalated tensions regionally and has negative repercussions for efforts to reach a political settlement in Libya," Abdel Aal argued.
In an unprecedented step, Egypt’s parliament has unanimously approved sending troops outside the country’s borders to support national security. The voting echoed two major issues,.
"The first issue is related to the size of anger Egyptians felt due to the Turks’ presence in Libya, while the second should be seen within the framework of the Egyptians’ full and unlimited trust of their armed forces and its political leadership," Abdel Aal concluded.
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