Egypt’s Sisi Expresses Support to Interim Libya Govt

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. (Reuters file photo)
Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. (Reuters file photo)
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Egypt’s Sisi Expresses Support to Interim Libya Govt

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. (Reuters file photo)
Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. (Reuters file photo)

Egypt’s President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi has given his support to a transitional government that would lead neighboring Libya through elections late this year.

In televised comments late Saturday, Sisi said the appointment of the interim government Friday, which includes a three-member Presidential Council and a prime minister, was “a step in the right direction.”

The Libyan Political Dialogue Forum, which includes 75 UN-picked delegates from across the country, appointed Mohammad Younes Menfi, a Libyan diplomat from the country’s east, as chairman of the Presidential Council. The forum also chose Abdul Hamid Mohammed Dbeibah, a powerful businessman from the western city of Misrata, as prime minister.

The three council members each represent a region of old Libya: Tripolitania in the west, Cyrenaica in the east, and Fezzan in the southwest. The country’s divided parliament is tasked with confirming the new government within three weeks. If it fails to do so, the forum will confirm.

The appointment of an interim government caps months of UN-brokered talks that resulted in an agreement to hold elections Dec. 24.

“We are supportive of them. … We are ready to cooperate with them for Libya’s recovery and to prepare for the elections in Libya,” Sisi said.

The Egyptian leader said his threat last year to send troops to Libya helped “start a genuine period for peace” in the oil-rich country. Egypt views the instability in neighboring Libya as a national security threat.

In June, Sisi called Libya’s strategic coastal city of Sirte a “red line” and warned that any attack by Turkey-backed Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) forces on the city would prompt Egypt to intervene to protect its western border.

Sirte, which sits near Libya’s main oil-export terminals and fields, has been held by forces of Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, who runs most of Libya’s eastern and southern regions.

The appointment of an interim government has been seen as a major — if uncertain — step toward unifying the North African nation.

US Ambassador Richard Norland on Saturday urged Dbeibah, the prime minister-elect, to “identify a small, competent, technocratic Cabinet team that can quickly be granted confidence” by the east Libya-based parliament.

An interim government would face towering challenges, including deteriorating living conditions and a surge in coronavirus cases.

The oil-rich country, with around 7 million people, has reported more than 124,000 cases, including 1,953 fatalities. However, the actual numbers of COVID-19 cases, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher, in part due to limited testing.

Other challenges include the dismantling of numerous heavily armed local militias and the presence of at least 20,000 mercenaries and foreign fighters who had fought in the fight for Tripoli.



Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Trump’s Written Pledge for Peace to Lebanese Community in US

Albert Abbas hands US President-elect Donald Trump the commemorative plaque. (AFP)
Albert Abbas hands US President-elect Donald Trump the commemorative plaque. (AFP)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Trump’s Written Pledge for Peace to Lebanese Community in US

Albert Abbas hands US President-elect Donald Trump the commemorative plaque. (AFP)
Albert Abbas hands US President-elect Donald Trump the commemorative plaque. (AFP)

Lebanon’s parliament Speaker Nabih Berri spoke of a letter signed by American President-elect Donald Trump to pressure Israel to reach a ceasefire in Lebanon and go ahead with a plan to restore calm between Lebanon and Israel. The letter was a product of a role played by a family of Lebanese origin in the United States.

Trump signed the letter about a week ago and it was released days later at the request of the Lebanese community there.

It is seen as the first written pledge in history to be signed by a president to his voters, said Ali Abbas, who goes by the name Albert.

Abbas held talks with Trump’s adviser and son-in-law's father Dr. Massad Boulos, asking him that the president support the demands of the Lebanese and Arab diasporas in Michigan to exert pressure to stop the war and end the suffering of the Lebanese and Palestinian people in return for their votes in the presidential election.

In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, Abbas said Boulos relayed the message to Trump, who in turn, sent a letter signed by him, cementing his pledge to the Lebanese community that he wants peace in the Middle East and world.

The letter carried frank support from Trump to use his influence to stop the war, giving the Arab community hope that peace and stability would be restored. The Lebanese community looks at the letter as an “opportunity to achieve peace” and that it was better than any opportunity that the Democrats could have offered the diaspora.

Abbas family

Abbas, 48, hails from a Lebanese family that immigrated from Lebanon in the 1970s. He was born and raised in the US and has become involved in the Arab community there. He is following in his father’s footsteps, who left for the US in 1972, and played a role in the 1980s in sending messages between the Ronald Reagan administration and Lebanese.

Abbas refuses to say that he comes from a political family, saying that the family works in the restaurant business and are peace activists.

From Harris campaign to Trump

Abbas had initially turned to Kamala Harris’ electoral campaign with the appeal for peace, but he was left “disappointed” after he learned that she was not interested in changing America’s foreign policy. So, he turned to Boulos.

Abbas revealed that he met with representatives of Harris’ campaign in Detroit, demanding a ceasefire and easing the suffering of the Lebanese people. “The representatives informed us that Harris had no interest in changing the current foreign policy towards Lebanon, Israel and the Palestinians,” he said.

“We told them that relatives of the Lebanese diaspora in Dearborn have died in the war and that its continuation will lead to more suffering. But they did not offer any commitment or pledge to end the current policy,” he continued.

Trump's signed letter to the Lebanese community. (dearbornareacommunitymembers on instagram)

Trump campaign

So, Abbas shifted his efforts to the Trump campaign and made the same demands during meetings with Boulos. He relayed to him the fears of the Lebanese and Palestinian communities over their families in Lebanon and Gaza. Boulos was asked to be receptive of these demands and in return, Trump would be welcomed in the city.

Indeed, Boulos welcomed the calls for peace and prosperity in the Middle East, relaying them to Trump, “who agreed to our request that his pledge be in written form and signed by him.” The signed letter was sent days later.

“This was the first time in history that a president signs a pledge to his voters. We were delighted and he gave us hope that he would use his power and apply pressure to stop the war and reach peace,” added Abbas to Asharq Al-Awsat.

“Trump’s campaign sent us the signed letter and we showed it to the community here and it was released at our request. This would allow millions around the world to witness this pledge to work for peace,” he stressed.

Addressing the Lebanese community, Trump said in his letter: “During my Administration, we had peace in the Middle East, and we will have peace again very soon! I will fix the problems caused by Kamala Harris and Joe Biden and stop the suffering and destruction in Lebanon. I want to see the Middle East return to real peace, a lasting peace, and we will get it done properly so it doesn't repeat itself every 5 or 10 years!

“You have my word. I will preserve the equal partnership among all Lebanese communities. Your friends and family in Lebanon deserve to live in peace, prosperity, and harmony with their neighbors, and that can only happen with peace and stability in the Middle East.

“I look forward to working with the Lebanese community living in the United States of America to ensure the safety and security of the great people of Lebanon.

“Vote Trump for Peace!”

Trump’s welcome

The letter motivated the Lebanese and Arab communities to welcome Trump in Dearborn in early November.

Abbas made sure to mention the letter during a speech he made at the restaurant, Great Commoner, which is owned by brothers Hassan and Hussein, during the visit. He also called for putting an end to the way Muslims are portrayed in the media and for the stereotyping against them to end.

Addressing Trump during the visit, Abbas said: “Our families are suffering at home. The current administration has failed miserably in managing the war and in all humanitarian aspects.” He added that the administration has betrayed Arab Americans.

“We look forward to the Trump presidency with hope and envision a time when peace will flourish, especially in Lebanon and Palestine. I cannot stand in silence while Palestine is being erased. Please help us,” he continued.

“In stopping the bloodshed, no amount of money and power should be given priority over human life.”

For his part, Trump said at the meeting: “We have a great feeling about Lebanon, and I know a lot of people from Lebanon and we have to end all this, we want to have peace, I know a lot of the Lebanese people and the Muslim population, they love Trump and they had a good relationship with him. We want their votes, we are looking for their votes, and I believe we will get their votes.”

Trump’s speech

Abbas described Trump's speech at the meeting as “strong” and “serious.” He added: “We asked for peace, and Trump was enthusiastic and responsive. After this meeting, we noticed a decline in his statements about supporting Israel, and he confirmed his determination to achieve peace for the Lebanese and the Palestinians. He spoke about the intelligence of the Lebanese and knowing them as a peaceful people who yearn for peace and justice.”

“So, I handed him a commemorative plaque and quoted Ronald Reagan on it about peace, and this plaque will be in the Oval Office in the White House,” added Abbas.

He handed Trump an honorary shield on behalf of all peace lovers in Michigan, and quoted Reagan on it: “Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the ability to deal with conflict by peaceful means.”