UPDATE : Sisi warns against delaying Libya vote, calls for exit of foreign troops

Sisi’s call came during his speech on Friday at the Paris international conference on Libya.

In his speech, the president asserted that Egypt would stand by the Libyan people until achieving their aspirations.

Addressing the conference, President Sisi said the gathering came almost two years after the Berlin Summit on the North African country, where participants pledged to protect the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Libya.

“We committed to supporting the efforts of the United Nations to launch a comprehensive and sustainable political process led by the Libyans,” President Sisi said.

“The process aimed to end the conflict and restore the stability that the Libyans aspire to,” he added.

The president said it was time to start specific measures to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Libyan crisis.

He added that Egypt also warned against the dangers of allowing armed conflicts to keep raging on Libya’s
national security, and the security of its Arab, African and European neighbouring countries.

The president reminded conference attendees that Egypt said it might have to take measures to protect its national security and maintain the balance of power in the event of a breach of it.

This position, he said, encouraged various parties to engage seriously in the political process sponsored by the
United Nations.

“Egypt’s efforts, spurred by its multiple ties with Libya, have focused on finding common ground between the
Libyan brothers to launch a national dialogue that addresses the political, economic and security roots of the
crisis, in coordination with friendly countries and the United Nations,” the president said.

He added that the situation in Libya was improving as the conference in Paris was being held.

The conference, the president added, also takes place as the political process in Libya passes through a decisive juncture.

He added that the December 24 elections in the country would reward all regional and international efforts
aiming at bringing stability back to Libya.

“We look forward to the successful completion of this long-awaited milestone,” the Egyptian leader said.

“We hope it is completed in a way that befits the nobility of the brotherly Libyan people so that Libya can
return to its active Arab and regional role,” he added.

He commended measures taken by the Libyan Presidential Council and the Government of National Unity to
prepare for the elections, as well as the efforts of the Libyan House of Representatives and its coordination
with the Libyan High Electoral Commission.

President Sisi said the commission makes great efforts so that the elections can be held on schedule and
Libyans get the chance to express their free will.

These efforts, the president said, make it difficult for those who want to sabotage the political process in
Libya to get what they want.

The president warned against failure in holding the elections, noting that this failure would engender a state of public anger that would return Libya to square one.

“Restoring permanent stability, achieving social peace, and preserving the identity and national fabric in Libya have requirements,” President Sisi said.

He added that these requirements include the completion of comprehensive national reconciliation among
all Libyans and equitably distributing wealth to achieve sustainable development throughout Libya without
exception.

This, he said, would help advance the economy and ensure the optimal utilisation of Libya’s resources to meet the aspirations of its people.

President Sisi said Libya can only restore its sovereignty, unity and desired stability by dealing seriously with the main problem that hinders this from happening, namely the presence of foreign forces, mercenaries and fighters on its soil.

The presence of these forces, mercenaries and fighters, he said, violates Security Council Resolutions Nos 2570 and 2571.

He added that the presence of these forces also violates regional agreements and the outcomes of the Berlin
II Conference as well as the decisions of the Arab League and the African Union.

The president encouraged the participants in the Paris meeting on Libya to take a clear stand against this violation by calling for ending all forms of foreign military presence in Libya.

He called for drawing up a set of mechanisms and guarantees to ensure that this would happen in the coming
period.

The president also urged the parties concerned to set a clear and binding time frame for the exit of all foreign
forces, mercenaries and fighters who entered Libya after 2011.

“I renew to you Egypt’s full readiness to provide all forms of support to the brothers in Libya to implement
the plan of the 5 + 5 Joint Military Committee in this regard, unify state institutions, and build capacities, so
that the Libyans can possess their capabilities and be able to chart their future,” President Sisi said.

He warned against attempts by some parties inside and outside Libya to undermine progress on this path
under false pretexts in the belief that it is possible to maintain a situation that no free Libyan would accept.

“I call on all actors inside and outside Libya to be up to the responsibility concerning this matter,” President
Sisi said.

“I urged all parties concerned to stop imposing the fait accompli, using military or physical force,” President
Sisi said.