Sisi directs military commanders to maintain competence and combat readiness

CAIRO – 19 August 2020: President Abdel Fatah el-Sisi held a meeting Wednesday with the commander of the Second Field Army, president of the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces, and the head of the Financial Affairs Authority of the Armed Forces, according to the presidential spokesperson.

The spokesperson said that the president directed to continue to maintain the highest levels of preparedness and combat readiness to carry out any task entrusted to members of the Armed Forces to protect Egypt's national security in light of the current challenges in the region.

The president also commended the efforts of the Armed Forces and the sacrifices they make to preserve the security and stability of the homeland.

 

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

This comes in line with the UN Security Council resolutions on Libya and the outcome of the Berlin Conference that imposes an arm embargo on Libyan factions, bans foreign intervention in the North African State, and advocates for a political solution. Furthermore, Egypt's intervention is requested by the elected Libyan House of Representatives and Libyan tribes.

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 Sisi met with tribe leaders belonging to 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 on the western strategic direction.