Libya
The Egyptian parliament on Monday, gave approval to a possible deployment of troops beyond its borders, after President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi spoke of potential military operations in neighbouring Libya.
Lawmakers unanimously approved “the deployment of members of the Egyptian armed forces on combat missions outside Egypt’s borders to defend Egyptian national security against criminal armed militias and foreign terrorist elements,” the parliament said in a statement.
Monday’s vote took place in a closed session where members of parliament discussed “threats faced by the state” from the west, where Egypt shares a porous desert border with war-torn Libya.
The vote came a day after the Egyptian president met the National Defense Council which includes the parliament speaker, the defense minister, the foreign minister and military commanders.
Sisi has warned that advances by forces backing the western Libyan-based Government of National Accord also known as GNA on the city of Sirte could prompt an Egyptian military intervention.
The GNA called his warnings a “declaration of war”.
00:59
Sergey Lavrov holds talks with foreign ministers at U.N. Security Council
Go to video
Libyans demand elections and unity, says UN envoy
00:42
US Secretary of State Blinken arrives in Egypt
01:36
Russian FM in Congo: Libya, war in Ukraine and cooperation top agenda
Go to video
Egypt: Mustafa Madbouly reappointed as Prime Minister
Go to video
Egyptian court sentences al-Sissi's opponent to one year in prison