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Sisi: Egypt Does Not Interfere in Libyan Affairs

Egypt's President Sisi receives Libya's FM el-Mangoush . (Egyptian presidency spokesman)
Egypt's President Sisi receives Libya's FM el-Mangoush . (Egyptian presidency spokesman)
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Sisi: Egypt Does Not Interfere in Libyan Affairs

Egypt's President Sisi receives Libya's FM el-Mangoush . (Egyptian presidency spokesman)
Egypt's President Sisi receives Libya's FM el-Mangoush . (Egyptian presidency spokesman)

Egyptian President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi stressed on Sunday’s his country’s “full support” to the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU) and its mission to restore Libyan security and stability during the interim phase.

The government was formed earlier this year with the aim of holding elections in December.

Sisi received in Cairo on Sunday Libyan Foreign Minister Najla el-Mangoush on the second day of her visit to Egypt.

He stressed that holding elections is an “essential” step in the political settlement in that they will help “restore the free voice of the people”.

Cairo fully supports Libya as it forges ahead on its political path, he added, declaring that its “national security is an extension of Egypt’s”.

The meeting was attended by Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Egyptian head of intelligence Abbas Kamel.

Sisi underscored Egypt’s firm support to Tripoli that is based on preserving Libya’s territorial integrity, adding that it does not intervene in its internal affairs.

He stressed the need for Libya to restore its sovereignty, starting with the withdrawal of all foreign forces and mercenaries from its territories.

For her part, el-Mangoush hailed “Egypt’s pioneering role in the region, through the wise leadership of President Sisi, and its intense and sincere efforts to support its brothers in Libya.”

These efforts stem from its belief in the territorial integrity of Libya as it restores its security, stability and national institutions, including the reunification of the military, she continued.

El-Mangoush had met on Saturday with Shoukry to coordinate stances ahead of the Berlin 2 international conference on Libya that is set for Wednesday.

They said that the withdrawal of foreign forces and mercenaries was of the utmost importance. They also called an end to foreign meddling in Libyan affairs.

El-Mangoush said: “The only solution to support stability and peace in Libya lies in ending foreign interference and the pullout of foreign forces and mercenaries.”

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Arab World

As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
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As Syrian Opposition Sweep into Aleppo, Army Closes Airport and Roads

A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)
A destroyed Syrian army tank in the village of Anjara on the outskirts of Aleppo, Nov. 29. (AP)

Syrian authorities closed Aleppo airport as well as all roads leading into the city on Saturday, three military sources told Reuters, as the groups opposed to President Bashar al-Assad said they had reached the heart of Aleppo.
The opposition fighters, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, carried out a surprise sweep through government-held towns this week and reached Aleppo nearly a decade after having been forced out by Assad and his allies.
Russia, one of Assad's key allies, has promised Damascus extra military aid to thwart the opposition, two military sources said, adding new hardware would start arriving in the next 72 hours.
The Syrian army has been told to follow "safe withdrawal" orders from the main areas of the city that the opposition have entered, three army sources said.
The fighters began their incursion on Wednesday and by late Friday an operations room representing the offensive said they were sweeping through various neighbourhoods of Aleppo.
They are returning to the city for the first time since 2016, when Assad and his allies Russia, Iran, and regional Shi'ite militias retook it, with the insurgents agreeing to withdraw after months of bombardment and siege.
Mustafa Abdul Jaber, a commander in the Jaish al-Izza opposition brigade, said their speedy advance this week had been helped by a lack of Iran-backed manpower in the broader Aleppo province. Iran's allies in the region have suffered a series of blows at the hands of Israel as the Gaza war has expanded through the Middle East.
The opposition fighters have said the campaign was in response to stepped-up strikes in recent weeks against civilians by the Russian and Syrian air force on areas in opposition-held Idlib, and to preempt any attacks by the Syrian army.
Opposition sources in touch with Turkish intelligence said Turkiye, which supports the opposition, had given a green light to the offensive.
But Turkish foreign ministry spokesperson Oncu Keceli said on Friday that Turkiye sought to avoid greater instability in the region and had warned recent attacks undermined de-escalation agreements.
The attack is the biggest since March 2020, when Russia and Turkiye agreed to a deal to de-escalate the conflict.
CIVILIANS KILLED IN FIGHTING
On Friday, Syrian state television denied opposition had reached the city and said Russia was providing Syria's military with air support.
The Syrian military said it was fighting back against the attack and had inflicted heavy losses on the insurgents in the countryside of Aleppo and Idlib.
David Carden, UN Deputy Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Syria Crisis, said: "We're deeply alarmed by the situation unfolding in northwest Syria."
"Relentless attacks over the past three days have claimed the lives of at least 27 civilians, including children as young as 8 years old."
Syrian state news agency SANA said four civilians including two students were killed on Friday in Aleppo by insurgent shelling of university student dormitories. It was not clear if they were among the 27 dead reported by the UN official.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday that Moscow regarded the attack as a violation of Syria's sovereignty.
"We are in favor of the Syrian authorities bringing order to the area and restoring constitutional order as soon as possible," he said.