RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has reiterated its support for Egypt's "right to protect its western borders" with Libya from "terrorism," according to a statement from the Kingdom's foreign ministry. "The Kingdom's government affirms that the security of Egypt is an integral part of the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the entire Arab nation, and the Kingdom stands with Egypt in its right to defend its borders and people from extremist tendencies and terrorist militias and their supporters in the region," read the foreign ministry statement. Saudi Arabia's reiteration of support comes the same day Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi warned that advances by Turkey-backed forces in Libya could prompt an Egyptian military intervention in the neighboring country. "Any direct intervention by Egypt has become internationally legitimate, whether under the UN Charter on self-defense or based on the sole legitimate authority elected by the Libyan people: the Libyan parliament," Sisi said. Saudi Arabia said it would support Sisi and Egypt in its "right to protect its western borders from terrorism." Sisi launched a political initiative earlier this month, which he called the "Cairo initiative," in the hopes of paving a path toward normalcy in Libya and warned against using military tactics to resolve the crisis. "The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to fulfill its responsibilities and respond to the calls and initiative of His Excellency President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi to reach a comprehensive solution that affirms the safety and security of Libyan lands, restore institutions and eliminate terrorism and extremist militias, and put an end to illegal foreign interventions that fuel terrorism in the region," the Saudi Foreign Ministry statement concluded.
