For the past years Libya has been war torn in civil war with the government of the capital in Tripoli defending itself against a secondary government backed by a parliament and a military general in the east, claiming legitimacy. With the technically rebel forces in the east’s plan to take over control of Tripoli falling apart this year, the Egyptian President Sisi has signed a flurry of construction, oil, and developmental contracts with the Prime Minister of Libya, Dbeibah. Egyptian intelligence sources also confirmed that Sisi demanded open elections from both factions by the end of the year, eyeing an end to the dispute. It is very clear and abject what the motives of the Egyptians in this situation are, and they are clearly of their best interest. Egypt used to back the forces of the East, near their own territory, likely to not have an enemy against them, but after it is clear that the west will maintain control they immediately sign deals that will show they see their legitimacy. On top of that, Egypt, a mild power in the Middle East will be able to change the dynamic of the region, if they are able to successfully seize a hollowed out country and add it to its own faction. They can do this through control of their oil supply, the revenue generated from this, the building of roads all throughout Libya, and the Egyptian firms who are now allowed to operate there again. Many parts of this are connected to larger themes, many of which we have mentioned. Firstly, it once again shows that every single country is working in its’ own self interest. The notion that the enemy of my enemy is my friend is displayed here with the Egyptian forces backing whoever needs them at a certain time, rather than the Turkish aligned competing forces. Also, relating back to our own class, on the topic of being a recognized state, its’ importance, and the effect of not being recognized. If the IGO the “UN” had perhaps recognized the forces of the East as real Libya, than there is a reasonable inference to be made that Sisi would have maintained his support with them.
