US: Sisi Statement on Libya Reflects Importance of Working for Ceasefire

On Saturday, the US State Department voiced its support to the Libyan people to put an end to the foreign interference, stressing that it backs Egypt's 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 neighbors, and all other external actors working together to strengthen the ceasefire.

Sisi's statements on Libya

"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 Sidi Barani district in Matrouh Governorate bordering Libya against the foreign intervention in Libya for it composes a threat to regional, European, and global security and stability.

The president asserted the withdrawal of mercenaries from Libya, and the necessity that militias give up their arms to the Libyan National Army (LNA).

Egypt’s 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 Western-backed  2011 uprising toppled longtime dictator Colonel 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 sophisticated drones and air defence systems that helped him repel Haftar's recent operations.