Libyan Commander Haftar Meets Egypt's Sisi

• 04.15.2019, 12:22
•  World

thenational

The meeting came as Libya's UN-backed government said its forces shot down a fighter jet belonging to forces of strongman Haftar south of Tripoli on Sunday, France24 reports. 

"The forces of the Libyan army shot down an enemy plane that was preparing to conduct air raids in the Wadi al-Rabie area," Government of National Accord spokesman Mohamed Gnounou told AFP.

Egypt and the United Arab Emirates publicly support UN-led peace efforts in Libya, while being seen as Haftar's closest regional allies. Sisi, a former army chief, has led a far-reaching crackdown on Islamists with Egypt and has blamed Libya-based militants for some cross-border attacks.

A statement from Sisi's office did not mention Haftar's offensive directly but "confirmed Egypt's support for efforts to combat terrorism and extremist groups and militias in order to achieve security and stability for the Libyan citizen".