Egypt's Sisi urges UN resolution for military intervention in Libya
PARIS - Agence France-Presse
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Egyptian Defence Minister Colonel General Sidqi Sobqi (L-R) stand together during a signing ceremony at the presidential palace in Cairo, in this February 16, 2015 handout courtesy of the Egyptian Presidency. REUTERS Photo
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Feb. 17 urged the UN Security Council to adopt a resolution allowing for an international military intervention in troubled Libya."There is no other choice. Taking into account that the Libyan people must agree that we act to restore security and stability," Sisi said in an interview with French radio Europe 1.
Sisi has repeatedly called for some kind of global intervention in Libya, which has been wracked by conflict since the overthrow of dictator Moamer Kadhafi in a 2011 NATO-backed uprising.
Chaos in Libya has seen rival governments and powerful militias battling for control of key cities and the country's vast oil riches, and has provided fertile ground for the Islamic State group.
Sisi on Monday launched air strikes against IS camps and weapons stores in the Libyan city of Derna hours after the Sunni extremists released a gruesome video showing masked jihadists beheading 21 Egyptian Christians on a Libyan beach.
The European Union said Monday it saw no role for the bloc in any military intervention, but would discuss joint action with Washington and Egypt.
"What we are seeing today in Libya is a double threat: it is a threat of a country that is breaking apart and of a country where Daesh is taking power and infiltrating," said EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini.
The African Union maintains the only solution for Libya is a political deal.