Egypt is sending a key delegation to Tripoli to meet with the UN-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Faiez Serraj, seeking to counter Turkey which has been present in the oil-rich country since last year.
The delegation headed by deputy chief of intelligence and head of Libya file at the Egyptian Presidency Ayman Badie pledged to renew ties between the two countries and resumption of flights between two Arab countries.
Arab Weekly however reports that the Egyptian delegation stressed the importance of stopping all Turkish arms exports, the need to dismantle armed militias, and Egypt’s rejection of all Turkish military bases in Libya.
The move is unprecedented as Egypt is known as a major backer of GNA’s rival administration located in the East and supporter of Gen. Khalifa Haftar.
Turkey has been GNA’s key international backer. Turkey has enabled the GNA to derail Haftar’s efforts to overrun Tripoli. It also signed an agreement with the Libyan government to establish military bases in Libya.
Ankara this month has renewed its military presence in Libya after the Turkish parliament validated the request from President Erdogan’s office.
Egyptian President Abdelfattah al-Sisi reportedly has retrieved his support for Haftar who still wants to wage war despite the ongoing truce between his forces and those of GNA in the wake of Haftar’s one-year long military campaign.
Egypt and Turkey are also opposed in several other fronts. Ankara backs Qatar in its diplomatic isolation by Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain and Egypt.
Egypt thawing ties with GNA to counter Turkey
