Libyan military official in response to Sisi: Whoever sees us as a threat, let us keep his tongue and his mercenaries

The spokesman for the forces of the Libyan government, Al-Wefaq government, Muhammad Qanunu, called upon anyone who sees Libya as a threat to his country to seize his tongue, arms and mercenaries from it, in what appears to be a response to the statements of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, in which he said that any direct intervention of Egypt in Libya has had international legitimacy, Either for self-defense or based on the only legitimate legitimate authority in Libya, which is the House of Representatives (in Tobruk), as he put it.

Hours after Al-Sisi's statements that sparked widespread Libyan anger, which some considered "a declaration of war" and "a blatant interference in the Libyan affairs," Kanounou wrote through his personal account on Twitter "Surrounded by 7 neighboring countries ... Libya did not pose a threat to any of them. We did not pose a threat to anyone's security ... until terrorism came to us and we did not export it. "

He added, "Those who see us that pose a threat to him - even if they are food and water - must close their borders and seize our weapons, armor, aircraft, mercenaries and tongue from us."

Al-Sisi also said in his statements yesterday while he was inspecting the Egyptian army, "Our goals will be to protect the western borders and quickly support the restoration of security and stability on the Libyan scene, as they are part of the Egyptian national security."

He also affirmed that "Sirte and Al-Jafra crossed a red line for Egypt," and that he would defend Libya except its sons, expressing Egypt's readiness "to arm and train the tribesmen (the Libyan)."

Anger

Al-Sisi’s statements have infuriated broad groups in Libya, where he considered Khaled al-Mashri, head of the Supreme Council of State in Libya, a “violation of sovereignty” and a “blatant interference” in Libyan affairs.

The spokesman for the Sirte and Al-Jafra Operations Room, Brigadier Abdul Hadi Dara, also considered that Sisi’s statements were “a blatant interference and a clear declaration of war against Libya.”

He emphasized that the internationally recognized government forces of Al-Wefaq are "determined to liberate the entire region" from the forces of retired Major General Khalifa Hifter and his supporters.

In turn, the Libyan parliament in Tripoli called on the government to be fully prepared to respond to Sisi's "threats" politically and practically, calling for this "aggression" to be taken seriously and to study all options available to respond in the appropriate time and place.

In a statement, the head of the "Justice and Construction" party, Muhammad Sawan, considered Al-Sisi's statements "a blatant violation and interference, which must be answered decisively and urgently by the official authorities."

Member of the Presidential Council of the Libyan government, Mohamed Amari Zayed, criticized what Sisi said, and stated, "We strongly reject what Sisi's speech said, and we consider it a continuation of the war on the Libyan people and interference in its affairs, a serious threat to the Libyan national security and North Africa, and a flagrant violation of international norms and covenants." .

The United Nations considers the Government of National Accord headed by Faiz al-Sarraj, the internationally recognized legal authority in Libya.

The Libyan government has condemned, more than once, what it said was military support that Egypt, the UAE, France and Russia provided to Haftar forces that launched on April 4, 2019, an attack on the capital, Tripoli, that lasted for months.

Recently, Al-Wefaq forces achieved victories, most notably the expulsion of Haftar forces from the entire administrative borders of Tripoli, the city of Tarhuna, and the entire cities of the West Coast, Al-Wattia air base, and towns in the western mountain.

Saudi Arabia and the Emirates

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have announced their support for Al-Sisi's statements regarding Libya, and Riyadh said in a statement published by the official Saudi News Agency, that Saudi Arabia stands with Egypt and its right to defend its borders and people, and expresses its support for what was stated in the Egyptian President's statements regarding "Egypt's right to protect its borders". Western "with Libya.

The UAE also expressed its support for what was stated in Al-Sisi's speech, and the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation affirmed, in a statement, that "the UAE stands beside Egypt in all its measures to protect its security and stability from the repercussions of the disturbing developments in Libya."