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As Hifter loses ground in Libya, Egypt weighs options to support him

While Egypt supports Libyan commander Khalifa Hifter against the Turkish-backed Government National Accord, it will refrain from interfering directly in the war.
A damaged  military vehicle is seen after fighters loyal to Libya's internationally recognised government took control of Watiya airbase, southwest of Tripoli, Libya May 18, 2020. REUTERS/Hazem Ahmed - RC25RG9IM08T

The prime minister of Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez al-Sarraj, announced May 18 that his forces had taken control of the key al-Watiya air base from the forces of Khalifa Hifter, commander of the so-called Libyan National Army (LNA).

On the same day, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces Gen. Mohamed Zaki and other prominent military leaders including the chairman of the Armed Forces Operations Authority, the head of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority and the commander of the Central Military Region.

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