Egyptian President reaffirms support for eastern Libya
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi reaffirmed Cairo’s support for the eastern Libyan authorities during a December 8th meeting with Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander-in-Chief Khalifa Haftar, according to The Arab Weekly plus agencies.
El-Sisi told Haftar in the Egyptian capital that he is committed to providing “all forms of support and assistance” to the LNA and Libya’s national institutions, according to the Libya Review.
The talks were also attended by General Intelligence Chief Hassan Rashad, LNA Chief of General Staff Khaled Haftar, and LNA Deputy Commander-in-Chief Saddam Haftar.
An Official Egyptian Presidential Spokesperson stated that the meeting focused on Benghazi and Cairo’s robust bilateral ties and the strategic significance of their joint national security. El-Sisi also articulated support for the preservation of Libyan sovereignty, stability, and territorial integrity.
Ever since former Libyan Dictator Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011, the country has been politically split into two rival administrations in the east and west, leaving it in an unstable security situation. On November 16th, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty underscored the need for a unified Libyan government and the launch of democratic elections.
These sentiments were echoed by El-Sisi to Haftar, who asserted that this could not be achieved unless Libya rids itself of foreign mercenaries within its borders and international political interference. Again, this is a message that Abdelatty previously stressed back in July, stating that elections “will only be possible once foreign troops withdraw and militias are disarmed.”
Egypt’s position towards the Libyan crisis has evidently been quite consistent. During a meeting with Haftar in January 2025, El-Sisi “urged coordination between all Libyan parties to crystallise a comprehensive political roadmap.”
During this most recent meeting, they also discussed matters of mutual regional concern, predominantly fixating on the ongoing civil war engulfing Sudan, a country which borders Libya and Egypt. Both leaders recognised the need to encourage international peace efforts to eventually bring about a permanent ceasefire and viable political settlement.
Despite this shared aspiration to see an end to Sudan’s war, Haftar and El-Sisi find themselves backing opposing sides in the conflict. Egypt has an alliance with the Sudanese national military, while the have been reports that Benghazi routinely smuggles fuel to the rebel paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Nevertheless, Haftar expressed deep appreciation for El-Sisi’s “pivotal role” and personal dedication towards securing a stable and unified Libya.
The Arab Weekly plus agencies, Libya Review, Maghrebi.org, Anadolu
Want to chase the pulse of North Africa?
Subscribe to receive our FREE weekly PDF magazine
