Egypt calls for international support in Libya IS fight

Egypt calls for international support in Libya IS fight
Egypt, France and Italy may form a coalition against the Islamic State group in Libya - but only if they receive UN backing.
3 min read
18 February, 2015
Sisi is discussing a possible coalition with Renzi and other European leaders [Anadolu]

Egypt has renewed its call for UN backing for a coalition to launch airstrikes against the Islamic State group in Libya.

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi on Tuesday told Europe 1, a French radio channel, he wants France and Italy to join Egypt in military action against the group and its affiliates in its eastern neighbour, providing support for Abdullah al-Thani's Tobruk-based government.

However, any such coalition would still need a UN resolution for political cover.

Egypt bombs IS targets in Libya after mass killing. Read more.





Ahead of Wednesday's scheduled Security Council session, Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry announced in New York that he was leading diplomatic talks in the UN to mobilise international military support against terrorism in Libya.

Sisi, French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and British Prime Minister David Cameron are reportedly discussing an Arab-Euro-Mediterranean military coalition, a well-placed source told al-Araby.

It is crucial to take into account the lives of Libyan civilians.
- Mohammad Bassiouni, al-Karama

According to the same source, the Egyptian president explicitly asked Cameron to adopt a Security Council resolution to launch strikes against militia strongholds in Libya.

Cairo, Paris and Rome are thought to hold similar positions on such a deal, especially as Italy is deeply concerned about the developing situation in Libya, its former colony.

However, the focus is now on obtaining a UN resolution, it is understood, as well as gaining political and military support from Libya's neighbours and Gulf states, which are  also extremely disturbed by IS' growing influence.

Sisi is thought to be against the idea of a full military intervention in Libya, preferring a limited aerial campaign.

Egypt's army is already fighting armed groups on the Sinai Peninsula, including the group formerly known as Ansar Bayt al-Maqdes, which has since pledged allegiance to IS.

It would also be a major challenge to engage the Egyptian army in dangerous guerrilla fighting on non-familiar territory.

High-ranking military and diplomatic sources said that the fate of the US intervention in Vietnam and Iraq, and the Soviet Union's in Afghanistan, should make anyone contemplating intervention in Libya cautious.

According to these sources, the Egyptian National Defence Council has not yet discussed the idea of a full military intervention - it only discussed intensive airstrikes, either launched by Egypt alone or by a regional coalition.

Abdullah al-Thani's Tobruk-based government and the forces of Operation Dignity commander Khalifa Haftar were cooperating fully with Egypt's airstrikes, the sources said, adding that Thani and Haftar also welcomed the idea of the intended coalition, but they rejected any ground intervention.

The governments of Libya, Egypt, Algeria and Chad have all reportedly objected to the idea of foreign "boots on the ground" in Libya.

Divided Egypt

While the Egyptian regime is holding foreign consultations, many have questioned the necessity of airstrikes on Libya. However, every Egyptian source spoken to by al-Araby unanimously condemned the execution of the abducted Egyptian Copts.

"Whose interests is this misguided swift action serving? Who is benefiting from risking the lives of nearly one million Egyptians?" asked Moustafa al-Badri, a leading figure in the Salafist Front.

Whose interests is this misguided swift action serving? Who's benefiting from risking the lives of nearly one million Egyptians?
- Moustafa al-Badri

Other political powers and parties say airstrikes on IS strongholds in Libya were praiseworthy but insufficient.

Mohammad Bassiouni, from the al-Karama party, described the retaliation as "a natural response to avenge the killing of the Egyptians, part of the fight against terrorism".

However, Bassiouni added, "it is crucial to take into account the lives of Libyan civilians, and immediately secure and evacuate Egyptian workers from Libya".

The Justice Party called for the immediate evacuation of Egyptians in Libya. "This should be accompanied by strong strikes against the perpetrators of this brutal crime, as a clear warning to everyone, whether inside or outside Egypt," read a statement.

This is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.

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