Extremism in Libya ‘threatens us all’, says Egypt’s Sisi

In interviews on Wednesday coinciding with a visit to London, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi described Libya four years after the anti-Qaddafi revolt as a “danger that threatens us all”. Hasan Jamali/AP PhotoShow less

LONDON // Egyptian president Abdel Fatteh El Sisi issued a blunt warning to Western powers on Wednesday that they must do more to prevent the spread of ISIL extremism in Libya which threatens to destabilise his country just as it seeks a more democratic future.

He said the foreign intervention that helped to topple the Libyan dictator Muammar Qaddafi had not been completed, leaving its people “held hostage by militant groups”.

In interviews on Wednesday coinciding with a visit to London for talks with the British prime minister David Cameron, Mr El Sisi described Libya four years after the anti-Qaddafi revolt as a “danger that threatens us all”.

He rebuked the West for its limited response to ISIL in Iraq and Syria and made it clear that Egypt would strive under his presidency to avoid being forced to accept the same fate.

The president referred to Libya’s slide into chaos and internal conflict since the Qaddafi regime was overthrown in 2011, with rival administrations and their own armed groups jostling for power in a vacuum ISIL has sought to exploit.

“It was a mission that was not completely accomplished,” said Mr El Sisi of the air strikes by a multi-state foreign coalition that contributed to the dictatorship’s downfall.

Speaking in Cairo to London’s Daily Telegraph newspaper before his UK visit, he added: “Libya was left without the leadership when it needed our help most.

“Now we have the situation where the will of the Libyan people is being held hostage by militant groups. We need to stop the flow of funds and weapons and foreign fighters to the extremists. All the members of Nato, including Britain, who took part in the mission to overthrow Qaddafi, need to give their help.”

Of his demand for stronger action against ISIL in Iraq and Syria, Mr El Sisi said: “The map of extremism and instability is expanding and not retreating. We need to reassess our priorities.”

Mr Cameron was forced this week to deny reports he had abandoned plans to bomb ISIL targets in Syria because of doubts about gaining sufficient support from the British parliament. The prime minister supports military intervention and Downing Street is adamant his position is unchanged while admitting he would raise the issue of British strikes in parliament only “if there was clear consensus”.

In a robust response to critics of Egypt’s post-Arab Spring human rights record, Mr El Sisi claimed the people now had an unprecedented right to choose their leaders though attempts to enhance democracy were a “work in progress” that would take several years to complete.

“Don’t forget that we are plagued by terrorism along the 1000 kilometre border with Libya, and Sinai and around Egypt,” he said in a separate interview with the BBC. “We need stability so the rest of Egyptian society can survive.”

Mr El Sisi told the BBC’s chief international correspondent, Lyce Doucet, there would be no need for Egypt’s controversial counter-terrorism measures if the country enjoyed a European-style security environment.

“Look at how we are suffering,” he said. “Look at the terrorism we are facing. Tell me how many from the army and police have been killed by extremists.”

Mr El Sisi’s UK visit was expected to draw protests outside the prime minister’s official residence, 10 Downing Street, on Wednesday night and Thursday and was opposed by more than 50 parliamentarians concerned that welcoming him to Britain suggested human rights abuses would be tolerated.

But Mr El Sisi, a former defence minister and commander-in-chief of Egyptian armed forces, was unapologetic in his analysis. “I will not defend the law, I will defend what is right,” he said. “We have spoken a great deal about our attempts to improve democracy.

“This is a work in progress and we have had some success. But we have not yet achieved all we would like.”

He insisted ordinary Egyptians were “terrified” of suffering the same fate as the people of other countries in the region. “They see footage of people drowning in the sea on the way to Europe and are scared this could happen to them.”

The BBC correspondent pressed him for a message to many people, especially the young, who felt “disappointed” at what had happened in Egypt since the Tahrir Square protests of nearly five years ago.

Mr El Sisi replied: “I think we have seen very positive change. When the people first took to the streets on January 25 [2011], all they wanted was to change the regime.

“We wanted to stop people inheriting power. Was this achieved? Yes. And today we also have fair and transparent elections.

“This is our experience with democracy. The thing is that people imagine we can reach all their goals quickly but this is not true. The nation cannot develop like this. We cannot achieve these goals in a few years. It takes time.”

He denied suggesting Egypt was not ready for “full democracy”.

“Democracy is all about will and practice,” he said. “We want Egyptians to have the freedom of expression and the right to choose their leaders.” Now, a president could serve for a maximum of only two terms of office, he said, and Egyptians would “never again be ruled against their will”.