Egypt, Libya at odds over border control
Libya rejects Egyptian claims that jihadists are sneaking through its border, instead accusing remnants of the Gadhafi regime of causing its instability.
CAIRO — Terror attacks in Egypt have shone a spotlight on the Egyptian-Libyan border, a top priority in recent discussions between the two states. The discussions have broached potential cooperation to prevent the infiltration of Libyan jihadists and arms smuggling to Egypt.
An Egyptian diplomatic source asserted in an interview with Al-Monitor that the talks between Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan, who was ousted from his post today, and Egyptian officials during Zeidan's Jan. 31 visit to Cairo focused on the border issue and extraditing members of deposed Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi’s regime. The source added that Zeidan requested direct support and prompt cooperation from Egypt to resolve these issues.
“We did not obtain any guarantees or commitments from Zeidan to enforce Libyan control on the borders. But we understand the weight of the security challenges faced by the Libyan government, and the consequences of any step to be taken by Egypt must be tackled in light of the continued threat against the Egyptian community in Libya," said the source, who attended Zeidan’s meetings in Cairo.
Zeidan had made a surprise visit to Cairo early on Jan. 31, following the abduction of members of the Egyptian Embassy in Tripoli in response to the arrest of the chief of the Libyan Revolutionary Operations Chamber, Abu Obeida al-Libi, in Cairo.
