Libyan Government says Egypt Made Declaration of War

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) said Sunday that Egypt has made a “declaration of war,” against it, the Times of Israel reported.

Put together amid the violent turmoil following the ousting and murder of Colonel Gadaffi in 2011, the GNA is recognized by the UN and is supported by Turkey. However, Egypt, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates support Libyan National Army commander Khalifa Haftar in his ongoing fight to control Tripoli. Haftar claims legitimacy from an eastern-based elected parliament, the Times of Israel reports.

On Saturday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi warned that Cairo may intervene directly if pro-GNA forces advance on Sirte: this strategic city is under Haftar’s control and is a key access point to Libya’s rich oil fields. Sirte is around 450 kilometers (280 miles) east of Tripoli.

In a statement about al-Sissi’s declaration, the GNA said: “This is a hostile act, direct interference and amounts to a declaration of war. For the Libyan state, “interference in its internal affairs, attacks on its sovereignty, whether by declarations… like those of the Egyptian president or by support for putschists, militias, and mercenaries, is unacceptable.”
The GNA called on the international community to “assume its responsibilities with regard to this escalation.” The GNA added that it is open to “all impartial mediation… under the aegis of the UN” but that it will not accept “unilateral or extrajudicial initiatives.”

A virtual meeting of Arab League foreign ministers to discuss Libya has been postponed to Tuesday. It had been scheduled for Monday. The GNA had declined to participate.

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