Egypt, Libya Mull Cairo Military Intervention against Turkish ‘Invasion’

Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (AFP)
Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (AFP)
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Egypt, Libya Mull Cairo Military Intervention against Turkish ‘Invasion’

Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (AFP)
Libyan parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh. (AFP)

The speakers of the Egyptian and Libyan parliaments warned on Sunday that Cairo may resort to “military intervention” to counter Turkey’s potential “invasion” of neighboring Libya.

Egypt’s Speaker Ali Abdul Aaal declared before parliament that his country “does not prioritize military solutions over political ones,” but it could be left with no choice if its national security is violated.

Libya’s parliament Speaker Aguila Saleh was present at the parliament meeting in Cairo where he denounced the international community for “abandoning the Libyan people halfway in their pursuit of a democratic civilian state.”

This left the people prey to terrorism and threats from the ISIS group, he added.

“Libya is not appealing for aid from anyone, but it is warning against the new impending Ottoman Turkish madness. This is a desperate attempt by a fascist dictatorial regime that has been ruthless against the Turks, Arabs, Kurds and others,” continued Saleh.

He also slammed the security and maritime cooperation deals signed between Ankara and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. The agreements are null and void because they were not approved by parliament, he stated.

“The Libyan people and their national army have the right to combat terrorism and defend their nation against the Turkish invasion,” he vowed.

He told Egypt’s parliament to oppose Turkey’s moves, “otherwise we might be compelled to invite the Egyptian armed forces to intervene”.

For his part, Abul Aal said Cairo had previously invited Libyan leaders, including GNA chief Fayez al-Sarraj, to propose a peaceful solution to their crisis. Some of their leaders, starting with Sarraj, have, however, been overpowered by terrorist groups in Tripoli.

Sarraj then turned to Turkey, which is stirring trouble in the region, said Abdul Aal. “We hope this crisis would be resolved and for all parties to return to reason.”

Saleh and Abdul Aal’s remarks coincided with an Egyptian naval drill in the Mediterranean. The exercise focused on countering a hostile invasion in coordination with naval and land forces, the border guard and special forces. This was the second such drill in almost a week.

Fragile ceasefire

The Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar, and the GNA had declared a ceasefire last week, halting an advance by the military on Tripoli. The truce was declared ahead of an international conference on Libya, scheduled for Berlin at the end of the month.

The fragile ceasefire was agreed amid international and regional pressure and after talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul last week.

Violations were, however, reported from both sides.

“The (GNA) militias violated the truce on more than one battlefront, with all types of weapons,” said LNA commander Al-Mabrouk Al-Gazawi.

The GNA said that despite gunfire in the Salaheddin and Wadi Rabea areas “minutes” after the ceasefire was meant to start at 0001 am on Sunday (Saturday 2201 GMT), and violations by “the aggressor militias”, it renewed its commitment to the ceasefire.

The LNA has said it still intends to rid Tripoli or its armed rivals.

Tensions have been high after Turkey’s parliament authorized the deployment of troops to Libya, following a deal with the GNA on sending military experts and weapons signed into law in December.

The GNA and Turkey signed security and maritime agreements in November last year, angering Mediterranean countries including Greece and Cyprus who also seek to exploit energy resources in the region.

The deals have alarmed Mediterranean and Arab countries and the United Nations, which have slammed Ankara’s meddling in Libya and warned that its intervention may escalate the situation in the already unstable country.



Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Israel Ready to Negotiate Permanent Gaza Ceasefire during 60-day Truce, Netanyahu Says

09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
09 July 2025, US, Washington: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaking with the press at the US Capitol in Washington. Photo: Douglas Christian/ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will likely have a ceasefire agreement with Hamas to release more Israeli hostages held by the Palestinian group. 

Netanyahu said 50 hostages were still being held captive by Hamas. Of that figure, he said, only 20 are believed to be alive. 

"I want to take them all out. We now have a deal that supposedly will get half of the living and half of the dead out," Netanyahu said in an interview on Newsmax show "The Record with Greta Van Susteren" that aired on Thursday. 

"And so we'll have 10 living left and about 12 deceased hostages, but I'll get them out, too. I hope we can complete it in a few days." 

On October 7, 2023, Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages, according to Israeli figures. Israel's retaliation has killed more than 57,000 Palestinians, Gaza's health ministry says, and reduced much of Gaza to rubble. 

The two sides have had two ceasefires - one in November 2023 and another in January 2025- since the fighting started. 

Netanyahu said Israel and Hamas will likely have a 60-day ceasefire, which the two sides could use to try to end the conflict. 

Hamas said on Wednesday there were several sticking points in the ongoing ceasefire talks including the flow of aid, withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, and "genuine guarantees for a permanent ceasefire." 

Netanyahu's interview with Newsmax comes as he wraps his third visit to Washington since President Donald Trump took office in January. 

Speaking of Trump, the Israeli leader said his country has never had "such a friend, such a support of Israel, the Jewish state in the White House." 

Last month, the US joined Israel in striking Iran, a move that Trump has said "obliterated" three of Iran's nuclear sites. 

When asked about a damage assessment, Netanyahu said, "Within months, they could have produced atomic bombs."