Egypt Withdraws Military Experts from Libya's Benghazi Amidst Tensions with Haftar's Camp

Egypt has reportedly withdrawn its military experts from the Libyan city of Benghazi, where they were working under Khalifa Haftar's command. This move reflects increasing political and strategic differences between Cairo and Haftar's eastern Libyan camp. According to reports from French international radio, RFI, the withdrawal was confirmed by unnamed sources, although neither Egyptian nor Libyan officials have officially confirmed the development.

The reported withdrawal comes amid rising tensions between Egypt and Haftar's camp, fueled by several factors. One major point of contention is the maritime agreement between Libya and Turkey, signed in 2019, which Egypt strongly opposes. The agreement was ratified by the Libyan parliament in October, further straining relations between Cairo and Benghazi. Egypt views the deal as a threat to its maritime interests and sovereignty.

Disagreements between Egypt and Haftar's camp extend beyond the maritime agreement. Another point of contention is the proposed Egyptian-led road project, which aims to connect the Red Sea port of Berenice to the Atlantic port of Douala in Cameroon, passing through southern Libya and Chad. The project, spanning over 1700 kilometers, has raised concerns among Haftar's associates, who fear it may undermine the future economic significance of the planned development of the port of Sirte.

Furthermore, Egypt and Haftar's camp have differing views on the conflict in Sudan. According to UN reports, Haftar's camp has been involved in supplying arms and ammunition to the Rapid Support Forces, which has not been well received by Cairo. These differences have been exacerbated by the recent shift in Haftar's role, with his son Saddam taking over the management of the eastern Libyan camp's political and military affairs.

The reported withdrawal of Egyptian military experts coincides with a meeting between Saddam Haftar and Egyptian intelligence chief Hassan Rashad in Cairo on November 13. The meeting aimed to discuss cooperation, joint projects, and developments in the Libyan political process. This development suggests that despite growing tensions, both sides are still engaged in diplomatic efforts to address their differences.

The implications of Egypt's withdrawal of its military experts from Benghazi are still unclear. However, it is evident that the move reflects deeper divisions between Cairo and Haftar's camp. As the situation in Libya continues to evolve, the relationships between key players, including Egypt, Turkey, and Haftar's camp, will likely play a significant role in shaping the country's future.

The developments in Libya have significant regional implications, particularly in the context of the country's ongoing efforts to stabilize and rebuild. The situation remains complex, with multiple stakeholders vying for influence. Egypt's withdrawal of its military experts from Benghazi is just one aspect of this complex landscape, which will likely continue to evolve in the coming months.

Key points

• Egypt has withdrawn its military experts from Benghazi, Libya, citing growing tensions with Khalifa Haftar's eastern Libyan camp.
• The withdrawal reflects increasing differences between Cairo and Haftar's camp over issues such as the maritime agreement with Turkey and the proposed Egyptian-led road project.
• Despite growing tensions, both sides continue to engage in diplomatic efforts to address their differences.