Bahrain pledges support for Egypt in face of national security threats

CAIRO - 29 July 2020: Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdul Latif bin Rashid Al Zayani pledged his country's full support for all efforts exerted by Egypt to face challenges and threats to its national security, asserting that Egypt's security is "part and parcel" of Bahrain's security.

The Bahraini news agency reported Tuesday that the Bahraini foreign minister received a phone call from his Egyptian counterpart Sameh Shoukry to discuss means of strengthening ties between the two countries.

Al Zayani praised the pivotal role played by Egypt in defending Arab interests and causes and safeguarding Arab national security.

He also praised the close fraternal relations between Manama and Cairo, and the continuous progress and prosperity witnessed in various fields.

This is in light of the high directives and patronage of King Hamad Bin Issa Al Khalifa, and President Abdel-Fatah El-Sisi. He stated that the two countries were keen to push the aspects of joint cooperation to broader horizons that enhance the interests of both countries, and the two peoples.

Shoukry expressed his country’s pride in the historical relations with the Kingdom of Bahrain, which constitute a model for relations between brothers. He confirmed Egypt’s keenness to continue joint coordination with Bahrain in various fields, and on all issues.

On June 20, President Sisi declared Sirte and Al-Jufrah in central Libya a red line that if crossed, Egypt's "direct intervention" becomes internationally legitimate.

On July 13, the Libyan House of Representatives issued a statement allowing the Egyptian Armed Forces to intervene whenever it perceives a threat to the security of Egypt and Libya describing Turkey as "the invading occupier."

On July 16, President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi met with leaders of tribes eastern, central, and western Libya in Cairo, as they demanded Egypt's military support to repel Turkish aggression. "We will enter Libya upon the request of the Libyan people, and will leave it in compliance with the order of the Libyan people," the president stated.

On July 20, the Egyptian House of Representatives approved sending troops beyond Egyptian borders to the western strategic direction.

Civil war broke out in Libya after the toppling of long-time ruler Muammer Gaddafi in 2011, who was later killed. Numerous militias are fighting for power and influence in the country, with Tripoli-allied militias backed by Turkey, Qatar and Italy. Meanwhile, eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, France and Russia.