GNA furiously denounces new Sisi threat to intervene in Libya
Egypt's president warned on Saturday that advances by Libyan government forces, backed by Turkey, on the city of Sirte could prompt an Egyptian military intervention in Libya in support of Cairo's ally Khalifa Haftar.
Meanwhile, Ankara has urged forces led by Haftar, who is based in Libya, to withdraw from the strategic city for a ceasefire agreement to be reached.
The UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli has made major military gains against rogue General Haftar's forces recently thanks to increased support from its backer Turkey.
The key city of Sirte, which lies some 450 kilometres (280 miles) east of the capital, is under the control of Haftar's forces, who last year launched an attempt to seize control of western Libya, which has failed following GNA advances.
Read more: After Haftar - What's next in Libya's conflict?
In a televised address, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who came to power after a 2013 military coup, said Sirte is a "red line" for Egypt, citing the need to protect its porous border as grounds for "direct intervention" in Libya.
"If the Libyan people asked us to intervene, it is a signal to the world that Egypt and Libya share .. common interests, security and stability," Sisi said on Saturday.
The GNA denounced Sisi's warning, saying any intervention would be a threat to Libya's security.
"We strongly reject what was said by al-Sisi and consider it a continuation of the war on the Libyan people, interference in Libyan affairs and a dangerous threat to national security," said Mohammed Amari Zayed, a member of the GNA's presidential council.
"There can be no 'red line' within our borders. We reject any bid aimed at dividing the Libyan people or their territory... (and) we categorically reject any bid to impose guardianship on Libya," he added.
Turkey also vowed to continue supporting the GNA's push for Sirte and demanded the evacuation of Haftar's forces from the city for a "sustainable ceasefire."
Rival administrations
Libya has been torn by violence, drawing in tribal militias, mercenaries, and jihadists since the 2011 revolution which toppled longtime dictator Muammar Gaddafi.
The oil-rich country is split between rival administrations in the east and west, with the conflict recently attracting increasing foreign involvement.
Besides Egypt, Russia and the United Arab Emirates back Haftar, while the GNA is supported by Turkey and Qatar.
"Any direct intervention by Egypt has become internationally legitimate, whether under the UN charter on self defence or based on the sole legitimate authority elected by the Libyan people: the Libyan parliament," Sisi said, referring to the House of Representatives, which was elected in 2014 and whose authority is disputed.
Like Haftar, the head of the House of Representatives is based in the east of the country, where they are both supported by Egypt.
The GNA has vowed to take Sirte, Gaddafi’s hometown and a strategic access point to Libya's key oil fields.
It is also the last major settlement before the traditional boundary between western Libya and Haftar's stronghold in the east.
"Some think they can trespass on the Sirte or Al-Jufra frontline. This for us is a red line," Sisi said.
Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told AFP in an interview that a ceasefire in Libya would be possible if Haftar's forces withdrew from Sirte and Al-Jufra.
"It should be a sustainable ceasefire, meaning that the other side, the LNA (Libyan National Army – forces loyal to Haftar), should not be in a position to launch another attack on the legitimate Libyan government any time it wants," Kalin told AFP in an interview in Istanbul.
Cairo proposed its own ceasefire in Libya earlier this month but it was dismissed by the GNA.
That proposal also called for withdrawal of foreign mercenaries, and disbanding of Libyan militias.
The Egyptian president blamed "external forces" supporting "extremist militias and mercenaries" in Libya for blocking the initiative.
He further urged Egyptian troops to "be prepared to carry out any mission, inside our borders, or if necessary, outside our borders."
On Friday, the Arab League announced plans to hold an urgent virtual foreign ministers meeting on Libya this week at Egypt's request.
But the GNA said it would boycott the meeting as it would "merely deepen the rift" between Arab governments on the conflict.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay connected