Libyan official: We are counting on Egyptian support to end the division

Ahmed Al-Mahdawi, a member of the advisory office at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the Libyan government appointed by Parliament, stressed the importance of the Egyptian role in maintaining stability in Libya, stressing that the recent Egyptian-Turkish-Emirati rapprochement helped bring about a breakthrough in the Libyan political table, especially at the level of rapprochement between the parties.

Al-Mahdawi told the Arab World News Agency, “No one can deny the Egyptian position towards Libya, past and present, and even during the siege that was imposed on Libya during the period of the former regime’s rule, Egypt stood with Libya during the rule of President Hosni Mubarak, and also during the era of (President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, Egypt’s position was supportive of the Libyan issue and supportive of maintaining security and stability in Libya.

Al-Mahdawi added, explaining: “Therefore, the Libyans aspire, with the help of the brothers in Egypt, the leadership and people, to end the state of political division in Libya and go to elections, and everyone knows that what is being managed or planned for Libya now is a conflict of interests of countries, whether regional or even international. There are differing international interests regarding the Libyan crisis, and the Libyans are the ones paying the price.” Pointing out that the Libyans “also want the Egyptian side to urge the Turkish side to withdraw its forces from Libya, not support the militias, and help in going to the elections.”

Al-Mahdawi explained that the recent Egyptian-Turkish-Emirati rapprochement “contributed to bringing about a kind of breakthrough at the Libyan political table, especially in the rapprochement between some Libyan parties. Even the Libyan political elites rose and a kind of complete coordination occurred between them.”

He went on to say: “This indicates the success of Egyptian, Emirati, and Turkish diplomacy in convincing Libyan political parties at the governmental and elite levels to sit at the negotiating table and conduct a Libyan national dialogue.”

The Libyan National Army had announced that its commander, Khalifa Haftar, received the head of the Egyptian General Intelligence Service, Abbas Kamel, yesterday, Monday, to discuss the political developments of the Libyan crisis.

Al-Mahdawi continued, explaining that the visit of the Egyptian Intelligence Chief to the General Command “is not the first, meaning that it comes within the framework of consultation and dialogue, and Egypt’s keenness to preserve its national security.” Because everyone knows that Libya is a strategic depth to Egyptian national security, so Egypt is looking to support stability and help Libya logistically until the conflict ends… The Egyptian position now stands at the same distance from all political parties, meaning that it has contact with Abdel Hamid Al-Dabaiba (the head of the National Unity Government It has contact with eastern Libya, whether it is Parliament or the General Command of the Libyan Army.

Al-Mahdawi highlighted that the Egyptian position “is keen for Libya to be in a state of stability, because Egypt’s eastern borders are witnessing tension.” Given the events in Gaza, and everyone knows that what is happening in Gaza is worrying the political leadership in Egypt, it does not want there to be tension on Egypt’s western borders either. Therefore, Egypt is trying to preserve its national security and help support or bring the views of Libyan political parties closer together.”

In response to a question about the challenges that the head of Egyptian intelligence discussed with the commander of the Libyan army, Al-Mahdawi said that the Egyptian position “is very clear, which is to support (the UN envoy to Libya Abdullah) Batelli’s map, or in other words, the Egyptian position is with what the international community wants, no Especially after the recent Turkish-Egyptian approach, and talk about putting the Libyan file on the consultation table, which recently took place between (Turkish President Recep Tayyip) Erdogan and Sisi.” He added, “All of these things make the Egyptian position helpful, or a factor that attracts the political parties to sit at one table and convince the political parties, especially since the General Command is considered a party close to the Egyptian political leadership.”

Al-Mahdawi continued, saying: “Therefore, Egypt is trying to persuade the General Command to participate in the Batelli table, or even to break the deadlock, and remove Libyan fears about the participation of the Dabaiba government, or even to convey to the Egyptian side its desire to include the government of (Prime Minister Osama) Hammad as a sixth negotiating party at the table.” The quintet that Batelli called for.”

Al-Mahdawi continued, explaining: “Everyone knows that Egypt is working to support the foreign policy of the General Command or even Parliament, and it is also the mediator who conveys what the eastern side wants to the national unity government and to the Turks.”