This archive report was first published on 16 July 2020.
Published on July 16, 2020, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has vowed to protect his country's national security, warning that any moves posing a direct threat to Egypt and the region will not be tolerated.
The strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is mainly supported by Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Russia, has been at odds with the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) since 2015.
The GNA, backed by Turkey, has been pushing to take the strategic city of Sirte from Haftar, prompting Cairo to consider this a 'red line'.
President Sisi has called for talks between Libya's rival factions, while Ankara and the GNA have urged Haftar to withdraw from Sirte and negotiate a ceasefire.
Libya has been mired in chaos since the 2011 uprising that toppled and later killed longtime dictator Moamer Kadhafi.
