Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi met Libya’s eastern-based commander Khalifa Haftar on Monday, urging national elections to break the country’s political deadlock while reaffirming Cairo’s support for a unified Libya.
Sisi called for the withdrawal of foreign mercenaries and simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, praising Haftar for his role in “supporting security and stability.”
Egypt officially backs a political solution and national unity but maintains close ties with Haftar and his Libyan National Army, viewing them as a bulwark against Islamist militants. Egypt shares a 1,100-kilometer desert border with Libya and relies on the LNA to help prevent instability from spilling over. Haftar pledged continued coordination with Cairo on regional security threats.
Libya has remained divided since the 2011 NATO-backed uprising that toppled Muammar Gaddafi, split between the UN-recognized Government of National Unity in Tripoli and a rival eastern administration backed by Haftar.
Sisi and Haftar also discussed Sudan’s conflict, stressing that its stability is closely tied to the national security of both Egypt and Libya.