Middle East Studies Center in Paris calls on European Union to support Libya against Erdogan militias

CAIRO -15 July 2020: The Center for Middle East Studies in Paris, headed by Parliament Member Abdel Rahim Ali, called on France and the European Union to stand by Libya against the Turkish aggression and militias to avoid the infirtlation of terrorism into Libya and the Middle East.

 

The center said in a press statement on Wednesday that the suspicious agreements signed by the Government of National Accord (GNA) and Turkey violate international law, the principle of good neighborly relations as well as the sovereignty over the marine areas of neighboring coastal states.

 

This agreement ignores the legitimate rights of European Union member states such as Greece and Cyprus.

 

The center praised the Libyan Parliament’s call for the Egyptian army to intervene militarily to defend the Libyan and Egyptian national security, calling on the international community and the Security Council to restore security and peace in Libya.

 

Ali stated that the Libyan Parliament is the only legitimate representative for the Libyan people and their will.

 

This Libyan call is based on confidence in the ability of the Egyptian Armed Forces to defend the security of the region and confront the threats posed to both Egypt and Libya.

 

He pointed out that the Libyan call is legitimate and comes in line with the international law, as it came from the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people, who are keen on the interests of Libyans at the political, security, economic and social levels. 

 

The deputy demanded the Arab League and the international community to exert further pressure to expel the Turkish occupier from Libyan lands, stop the theft of the wealth of the Libyan people and distribute these fortunes fairly among the Libyan people.

 

Abdel Rahim Ali said, "We all stand with our political leadership, represented by President Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi and the Armed Forces."

 

In December 2019, Turkey signed with the GNA, which is an interim non-elected government that is recognised by the United Nations, two MoUs on defense, and gas drilling in the Mediterranean.

 

The maritime border agreement was rejected by several countries such as Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and the UAE and described as an illegal act that violated the sovereignty of other Mediterranean states.

 

Since January, Turkey has been transporting Syrian mercenaries into the North African state and has sent military officers and experts to command the operation rooms of the militias affiliated to the GNA.

 

The SOHR also pointed out that these fighters include hundreds of child soldiers between the ages of 16 and 18.

 

Oil-rich Libya has been mired in chaos since the ouster and killing of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. It now has two rival authorities and a multitude of militias vying for control of the country.

 

The country’s internationally recognised government is based in Tripoli, while Khalifa Haftar, the commander of the Libyan National Army, is supported by a parallel administration based in the east.