CAIRO — Egypt has repeatedly confirmed standing at equal distance from all parties in Libya to reach a political solution. Observers, however, believe the Egyptian position is contradictory. Cairo officially announced on Dec. 26, 2015, its recognition and support for the presidency council of the Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Sarraj — which emanated from the Libyan Political Agreement signed on Dec. 17, 2015, under United Nations auspices in Skhirat, Morocco.

At the same time, Cairo provides Sarraj’s rivals in Tobruk with direct support, particularly Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces Khalifa Hifter, who Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi called in April 2016 the savior of Libya from terrorism.

Since the overthrow of former President Moammar Gadhafi's regime in 2011, divisions climaxed in Libya in 2014, with the formation of the internationally recognized and supported Tobruk-based parliament. This step was rejected by the parliament that was elected in 2012 and was based in Tripoli, in western Libya. While the two governments and parliaments continue to struggle, Sarraj's mission of leading a two-year transitional period, during which parliamentary and presidential elections are to be held, has become more difficult to achieve.

The biggest obstacle to the Libyan settlement is the formation of a unified Libyan army. This, however, cannot be done without the approval of Hifter, who is provided with direct support from the Tobruk-based parliament.