Cairo Brings Views of Libyan Parties Closer

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
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Cairo Brings Views of Libyan Parties Closer

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrives at Buckingham Palace in London, Britain January 20, 2020. REUTERS/Henry Nicholls/Pool

Egypt has sought to bring the views of Parliament Speaker Agila Saleh and Libyan National Army (LNA) leader Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar closer through a meeting held in Cairo Wednesday.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Saleh and Haftar.

“During the talks, Sisi was briefed on developments in Libya and the efforts of all parties to implement a ceasefire on the one hand, and on the Libyan efforts to promote the peace process under the auspices of the United Nations on the other,” Egyptian presidential spokesman Bassam Radi said.

Saleh has not commented on a “surprise agreement” struck between Haftar and Ahmed Maiteeq, the vice-president of the Libyan Presidential Council, on the resumption of oil production after a nine-month hiatus.

Although Haftar didn’t express support to the initiative launched by Saleh to resolve the Libyan crisis, he reiterated keenness on adhering to the legitimacy of the house of representatives.

In a statement, he described Wednesday’s meeting as important, noting that it discussed political developments in Libya.

Egypt is committed to helping Libyans “rid their country of armed militias and terrorist organizations, and put an end to the blatant interference of some regional parties,” Radi said.

Sisi urged all parties to the Libyan conflict to return to the political process with the aim of restoring peace, security, and stability.

Head of the Government of National Accord Fayez al-Sarraj stated that he met on Wednesday the leader of the High Council of State, Khaled al-Mishri.

They affirmed the importance of committing to a ceasefire and halting all fighting on Libyan territories.

In a related context, the LNA called on the United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) to assume responsibility towards the secret detention centers ran by militias backing the GNA.

The LNA noted that these camps are located near UNSMIL’s headquarters.

LNA’s Brigadier General Khalid Al-Mahjoub said that the residents of Tripoli have fallen victim to the worst forms of torture committed by the militias and extremist organizations that control large swaths of the capital.



UK Military Launches Airstrikes with US Targeting Yemen's Houthis

Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
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UK Military Launches Airstrikes with US Targeting Yemen's Houthis

Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB
Flames rise from a position following alleged US airstrikes, in Sanaa, Yemen, 28 April 2025. EPA/YAHYA ARHAB

The British military launched airstrikes with the United States targeting Yemen's Houthi militias, officials said early Wednesday, their first involvement with America's new intense campaign targeting the Iran-backed group.

The United Kingdom offered a detailed explanation of its reason to launch the strike.

The UK's Defense Ministry described the site attacked as “a cluster of buildings, used by the Houthis to manufacture drones of the type used to attack ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, located some 15 miles (25 kilometers) south of Sanaa.”

Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s took part in the raid, dropping Paveway IV guided bombs, the ministry added.

“The strike was conducted after dark, when the likelihood of any civilians being in the area was reduced yet further,” the ministry said.

The British offered no information on the damage done in the strike, nor whether it believed there were any casualties.

“This action was taken in response to a persistent threat from the Houthis to freedom of navigation,” said John Healey, the UK's secretary of state for defense. “A 55% drop in shipping through the Red Sea has already cost billions, fueling regional instability and risking economic security for families in the UK.”

The Houthis reported several strikes around Yemen's capital, Sanaa. Other strikes hit around Saada.

President Donald Trump ordered the intensification of US strikes on Yemen last month, with his administration saying it will continue assaulting the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea shipping.

The British have taken part in airstrikes alongside the US since the Biden administration began its campaign of strikes targeting the Houthis back in January 2024. However, this new strike is the first to see the British involved in the campaign under Trump.

The US military said over the weekend it has struck over 800 targets since mid-March.