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Egypt's El-Sissi Says Militias Hold Libyan Government 'Hostage'

Associated Press

   CAIRO - Libya's U.N.-supported government is held hostage by "armed and
   terrorist militias" in the capital, Tripoli, Egypt's leader said
   Sunday.

   President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi said in televised comments that the
   Government of National Accord "is not able to have a free and real will
   because they have been taken hostage by armed and terrorist militias
   there."

   The GNA is backed by Egypt's regional rivals Turkey and Qatar and
   Egypt's relations with the two countries have been strained since 2013.
   That's when Sissi, as defense minister, led the military overthrow of
   elected but divisive Islamist President Muhammad Morsi amid mass
   protests against his brief rule. Morsi was a member of the Muslim
   Brotherhood.

   The Tripoli-based government is supported by a Libyan affiliate of the
   Muslim Brotherhood group, which Cairo designated as a terrorist
   organization in 2013. Turkey and Qatar are also staunch backers of the
   Brotherhood.

   Sissi said the Libyan conflict has posed a threat to Egypt's national
   security because militants and weapons spill over the border into
   Egypt. He said it had been a priority for Egypt to directly interfere
   in Libya "but did not take this step to maintain the relationship and
   brotherhood with the Libyan people."

   There was no immediate comment from the Tripoli authorities.

   Last week, the Egyptian president said a comprehensive political
   solution for the Libyan conflict would be achieved in the coming months
   that would put an end to a "terrorist hotbed that pushes militants and
   weapons to (Libya's) neighboring countries including Egypt."
   

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