Egypt, UAE facing Erdogan’s evil plans for Libya in Berlin

Asmaa al-Batakoshi

Arab states participating in the Berlin conference on Libya, especially Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, took new steps on the road of bringing about the aspired peace to the war-torn state.

Efforts by these countries contributed to the success of the conference and the signing by 16 states and organizations of its recommendations, most important of which is the need for ceasing the fire in Libya and stopping arms supplies to it.

The conference also decided the formation of a panel of military observers to ensure that the warring parties would abide by the ceasefire. The panel should contain five representatives of each of these parties.

Egypt called for stopping the flow of militants and mercenaries into Libya. It said the Libyan National Army, commanded by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, is the only legitimate regular force in Libya.

It added in a statement that the militias affiliated to the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord are a mere bunch of Muslim Brotherhood armed groups that have nothing to do with legitimacy.

Egyptian Presidency Spokesman, Ambassador Bassam Radi, referred to ongoing contacts between Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and other world leaders to explain the reality of what is happening in Libya to them.

United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, said his country backs the recommendations of the Berlin conference.

Interference by regional states will not solve the problems of Arab states, Gargash said. There is an urgent need for an Arab involvement in efforts made by the international community and the United Nations, he wrote on Twitter.

He said attendance in the conference by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Algeria and the Arab League ensured strong Arab presence in the event.

Arab states work tooth and nail to preserve Libya’s territorial integrity in the face of interference by Turkey.

Libyan political analyst, Mahmud al-Zubaidi, described Egypt’s role as both “central” and “effective”.

President Sisi’s presence in the conference changed the whole balance of things in it, al-Zubaidi told The Reference. This is especially true in the light of the bilateral talks he held with participating leaders on the sidelines of the conference.