Sisi, Putin urge reaching political settlement to Libyan crisis
Sisi, the Egyptian president on Friday spoke by phone with his Russian counterpart about the recent developments in Libya, and emphasized the need to curb illegal foreign interference in the Libyan affairs, the Egyptian Presidency said in a statement.
President Abdel Fattah Sisi slammed foreign interference in Libya, apparently referring to the Turkish military intervention which has been rejected by many world leaders as well as the Libyan parliament, due to the foreign interference’s negative repercussions, including undermining the efforts that aim to achieve security and stability in the war-torn country, said presidential spokesman Bassam Radi.
For his part, President Vladimir Putin stressed Russia’s support to a comprehensive political solution in Libya.
Both presidents agreed, during the phone call, to intensify joint efforts to focus on reaching a settlement to the Libyan crisis through a comprehensive framework that backs efforts to combat terrorism and extremist groups and meets the aspiration of the Libyan people and respects their will.
Sisi and Putin also reviewed recent developments in the Gulf and affirmed the need for de-escalation, in order to ensure the safety and security of the region.
They also discussed issues related to bilateral relations and affirmed, in this regard, their willingness to develop cooperation between Egypt and Russia in various fields, especially trade, economy and energy.
Khalifa Haftar, chief of the Libyan National Army, on December 12th announced a “decisive” and “final battle” in Tripoli to “set it free” from armed militias. On January 6, 2020, the Libyan National Army forces seized the city of Sirte after attacking from five military axes to control several vital areas in the city such as Sirte port and Ghardabiya Airbase
In response to Haftar’s offensive, Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced plans to send Turkish troops to fight along with forces of the so-called Government of National Accord (GNA), Haftar’s rival.
Despite wide condemnation, the Turkish parliament, on January 2, voted on Erdogan’s bill to send troops to Libya after Erdogan and head of Libya’s presidential council Fayez al-Sarraj reached a deal in February 2019 on drawing maritime borders in the Mediterranean Sea- one of the largest natural gas resources in the region- and on enhancing military cooperation.
The deal provoked anger in Egypt, Cyprus and Greece, which voiced their rejection of the deal as it contradicts with the international agreements.
On Wednesday, Haftar vowed to continue its offensive in the capital, Tripoli, against “terrorist” groups, apparently rejecting ceasefire calls by Russia and Turkey, Reuters reported.
In a statement, the army affirmed it was aware of the Russian calls aiming to seek “peace and stability” in the war-torn country, saying it welcomes them, but said they would not stop the army from fighting “terrorist groups” controlling Tripoli.
An unnamed advisor was later cited by AFP as saying that the LNA does not totally reject the ceasefire calls but said there were conditions that must be met.
