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BBC Report: Egypt ‘bombs IS in Libya’ after beheadings video

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In a TV address, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned ''inhuman criminal killers''

In a TV address, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned ”inhuman criminal killers”

Egypt says it has bombed Islamic State targets in Libya, hours after the group published video showing the apparent beheadings of 21 Egyptian Christians.

State TV said the dawn strikes had targeted camps, training sites and weapons storage areas.

Earlier, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said Egypt had the “right to respond” against IS.

A video emerged on Sunday showing a group wearing orange overalls being forced to the ground and decapitated.

IS militants claim to have carried out several attacks in Libya, which is in effect without a government.

“Egypt reserves the right to respond at the proper time and in the appropriate style in retaliation against those inhuman criminal killers,” President Sisi said.

“Egypt and the whole world are in a fierce battle with extremist groups carrying extremist ideology and sharing the same goals.”

The kidnapped Egyptian workers, all Coptic Christians, were seized in December and January from the coastal town of Sirte in eastern Libya, under the control of Islamist groups.

Egyptian airstrikes on ISIS targets in Libya after 21 Copts killed by terrorists

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B98YHNtIgAAOpoQ.jpg_largeThe Egyptian Air Force has struck Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) positions in Libya, following the execution of 21 Christian Egyptians by the terrorist group. On Sunday, a video emerged, allegedly showing the mass killing carried out by the IS.

 

Egypt court to consider listing Turkey as ‘state that supports terrorism’

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204410_newsdetailPresident Recep Tayyip Erdoğan (R) and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi salute the members of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party in Ankara, Turkey. (Photo: Turkish Prime Minister’s Press Service via AP)

An Egyptian court on Saturday set Feb. 24 as the date for the first hearing in a lawsuit demanding that Turkey be designated a “state that supports terrorism,” according to a report by UK-based news portal Middle East Monitor (MEMO).

Citing a source who spoke on the condition of anonymity, MEMO reported that the Egyptian Court of Urgent Matters in the coastal city of Alexandria had scheduled the first hearing in the case for Feb. 24.

The report says a lawyer named Tarek Mahmoud filed the lawsuit with the court, claiming that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan had supported the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) movement.

Egypt’s former military head and current President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi ousted former President Mohamed Morsi a year after Morsi came to power in a free vote in July 2013. Turkey had forged a close alliance with Morsi and strongly criticized the military coup in Egypt that toppled the Morsi government.

The MB, which Morsi is part of, was declared a terrorist organization by the Egyptian government in December 2013.

The source also said that the lawyer filing the case further claimed that Turkey was the main source of arms entering Egypt and ending up in the hands of Muslim Brotherhood members.

Mahmoud also pointed out that Turkey hosted several meetings with members of the MB and hosts satellite channels owned by some of the MB leaders.

Since the ouster of Morsi, Turkish authorities, including President Erdoğan, have been lashing out at the Sisi administration and accusing the international community of “hypocrisy” for not taking a firm stance against someone who came to power by military coup.

Egypt court to consider lawsuit against Turkey “state that supports terrorism,”

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ALEXANDRIA 

tayyip-erdogan-8-at-the-UNSC

An Egyptian court on Saturday set Feb. 24 for considering a lawsuit, demanding the designation of Turkey as a “state that supports terrorism,” a judicial source has said.

“The court of urgent matters in the coastal city of Alexandria scheduled the first hearing in the case for Feb. 24,” the source told Anadolu Agency on condition of anonymity.

He added that a lawyer called Tarek Mahmoud had filed the lawsuit at the court. report Middl Eeast Monitor

The judicial source said Mahmoud had claimed in his case that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had supported the Muslim Brotherhood movement and criticised Egypt following the ouster by the army of Islamist President Mohamed Morsi in July of 2013.

The Brotherhood, the movement from which Morsi hails, was declared a “terrorist organisation” by the Egyptian government in December of 2013.

The judicial source added that the lawyer filing the case also claimed that Turkey was the main source of arms entering Egypt and ending up in the hands of terrorists.

“Turkey adopts hostile stances against Egypt after it became a haven for Muslim Brotherhood leaders who face criminal charges in Egypt,” the judicial source quoted Mahmoud as saying in his lawsuit.

He added that the lawyer noted in his case that Turkey also hosted several meetings of the international organisation of the Muslim Brotherhood and hosted satellite channels owned by some Muslim Brotherhood leaders.

The Turkish government has not commented on the lawsuit yet.

Relations between Egypt and Turkey have continued to deteriorate since Morsi’s ouster in 2013.

February/08/2015

Egypt bans travel to Turkey without permit (Ankara is ISIS recruitment epicenter)

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198808_newsdetailEgyptian authorities have started to impose a ban on their citizens’ travel to Turkey without a special permit in order to prevent recruitment to the terrorist Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

Egyptian airport officials said the new ban applies to all Egyptians between the ages of 18 and 40 who want to travel to Turkey.

Egyptians in the affected age range need to apply for security clearance in Cairo before their departure to Turkey. According to the Egyptian authorities, over 200 people have been barred in only one day, the AP reported on Saturday.

Egyptian Interior Ministry spokesman Hany Abdel-Latif said the new measure was an effort to prevent Egyptian citizens from traveling through Turkey to join militant groups in Syria. According to the estimates of Egyptian security officials, hundreds of Egyptians are fighting alongside militants in Syria and Iraq.

ISIL militants took control of large parts of Iraq and Syria this past year, making swift advances in the region. The US, meanwhile, has worked on forming a strong coalition of countries against ISIL. There are around 60 countries so far that have joined the US-led coalition against the extremist group.

Turkey is one of the coalition partners but is often criticized for its lack of enthusiasm to contribute more. Turkish officials complain that there is no comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIL and insist on removing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad from power as part of eliminating the threat stemming from ISIL.

Turkey has been accused of turning a blind eye to the foreign fighters coming from various countries and using Turkish territory to cross into Iraq and Syria to join the ISIL militants. A high-level European Union delegation will be arriving in Turkey this week to push the country to do more to prevent the flow of foreign fighters into Iraq and Syria.

Turkey and Egypt have been at odds since the summer of 2013, following the ousting of the country’s first democratically elected president, Mohammed Morsi — a member of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood.

Turkey’s relationship with Egypt has been derailed due to President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s open support for the Muslim Brotherhood, which is considered a terrorist organization by Egypt.

President Erdoğan has been taking every chance to criticize the former military leader and current president of the country, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The dispute started with Erdoğan’s furious remarks targeting Western and Arab nations over the military coup that ousted Morsi in July 2013.

After having reciprocally expelled ambassadors with Egypt in November of last year due to then-Prime Minister Erdoğan’s harsh criticism towards the military regime in the North African country, Turkish Foreign Ministry officials tried to mend ties with Egypt recently through a meeting in New York on the sidelines of a United Nations summit in October.

But the planned meeting between the Turkish foreign minister and his Egyptian counterpart was canceled by the Egyptian side after Erdoğan’s highly critical remarks about Egyptian President el-Sisi at the UN General Assembly.

Egypt launches campaign for UN Security Council

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By Ayah Aman,

UN-GENERAL ASSEMBLY-EGYPTCAIRO — Egypt is seeking international support for its bid for nonpermanent membership in the UN Security Council, and aims to drum up votes to get the North African seat for 2016-17 in elections due in October 2015.

Egyptian foreign policy circles on the African, Asian, European and Arab levels are taking part in this intense diplomatic campaign. The Foreign Ministry issued a booklet on Cairo’s activities and policies in the areas of international peace and security, outlining Egypt’s role in issues pertaining to the Middle East, particularly the Palestinian one.

The booklet, distributed by Egypt’s representatives during the meetings of the UN General Assembly in September, expresses its support for all UN efforts to establish peace in conflict zones in Africa and the Middle East, and mentions Egypt’s participation in 37 peacekeeping missions with 2,659 Egyptian soldiers and officers.

In addition to Egypt’s role in striving for international peace and security, the campaign also focuses on the development efforts that Egypt continuously calls for through its work under the umbrella of the UN, the African Union (AU) and the Arab League.

Ambassador Badr Abdel Ati, the spokesman for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry, told Al-Monitor that Egypt deserves the seat at the Security Council. “Cairo has always been an active actor in international efforts related to peace and security — not only on the political level, as we also participated in peacekeeping missions in conflict zones,” he said.

Abdel Ati said Egypt has “clear support from a number of important and influential countries,” without elaborating which ones. He added, “The coming period will witness the launch of several movements to confirm the importance of the Egyptian candidature as well as Egypt’s regional role in achieving UN goals.”

Egypt’s stated intention to run for the UN Security Council comes five months after it resumed its activities in the AU — a year after the African Peace and Security Council suspended Egypt following the ouster of former President Mohammed Morsi on July 3, 2013.

Abdel Ati said, “Egypt will present its candidacy to represent North African countries [at the UN] during the upcoming African summit that will be held in June [2015], prior to the Security Council elections.” He stressed, “There is strong support for the candidacy of Egypt from the African group at the UN.”

It is worth noting that Egypt has held a nonpermanent seat at the UN Security Council four times: 1949-50, 1961-62, 1984-85 and 1996-97.

A diplomatic source participating in the campaign who wished not to be named told Al-Monitor, “Our determination and the interest of the Egyptian government for a seat at the Security Council are linked to Egyptian national security, in light of the external threats haunting Egypt, especially the Libyan and Palestinian issues.”

“[President Abdel Fattah al-] Sisi’s administration is attempting to strongly return to the international political scene following the overthrow of the Muslim Brotherhood and Egypt’s fight against terrorism, which needs the support of the international community,” he added.

The diplomat said Egypt is among the nations calling for reform of the UN Security Council, adding that Africa deserves a permanent seat.

“We still look forward to reforms to expand the membership in the Security Council. It is unreasonable for the African continent not to be a permanent member in light of its rising importance and growth on the international scene,” he added.

Observers note that Egypt’s success in obtaining this seat would be a major victory for Egyptian diplomacy and enhance Cairo’s relations with regional powers.

Hassan Haridy, Egypt’s former UN ambassador, told Al-Monitor, “Several positive indicators show that it will not be hard to get the seat. The government has now garnered strong international support. Cairo’s presence in the Security Council will add to both the Arab and African dimensions, as all problems that worry Arab countries will be presented, namely the threat of armed jihadist groups to Arab security.”

Haridy ruled out the possibility that “the delayed implementation of the road map and the parliamentary elections — both of which aim to restore the democratic path in Egypt — will affect foreign support for Egypt’s candidacy.”

“There is clear international recognition and support,” he said, adding, “Holding the parliamentary elections before the voting session at the UN General Assembly will surely have a positive impact.”

Egypt’s accession to the UN Security Council remains among the most important political goals for Sisi’s administration. The Egyptian government has been trying to open up to the world and create a new regional and international role, including building strategic alliances to deal with the pressing regional security issues.

Ayah Aman
Contributor, Egypt Pulse

Ayah Aman is an Egyptian journalist for Al-Shorouk specializing in Africa and the Nile Basin, Turkey and Iran, and internal Egyptian social issues. On Twitter: @ayahaman

With Egyptian President on his side, Greek Cypriot leader accuses Turkey

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CAIRO – Agence France-Presse
n_74055_1In this photo provided by Egypt’s state news agency MENA, Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades (from left), Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras shake hands to pose for photos after a press conference in Cairo, Egypt, Nov. 8, 2014. AP Photo/MENA, Mohammed Abd el-Moaty

Greek Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades on Nov. 8 accused Turkey of “provocative actions” that he said are hindering the island’s peace talks and compromising security in the eastern Mediterranean.

Last month Greek Cyprus suspended its participation in UN-led peace talks with Turkey amid tensions over Ankara’s determination to search for oil and gas in the same region where the Greek Cypriot government has licensed exploratory drills in an exclusive economic zone.

“Turkey’s provocative actions do not just compromise the peace talks, but also affect security in the eastern Mediterranean region,” Anastasiades said during a visit to Cairo.

“For the (peace) negotiations to succeed Turkey needs to show positive intention and adopt a constructive stance through positive and effective steps in this direction,” he said, according to a translation.

The Greek Cypriot leader was speaking at a joint news conference in Cairo with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras.

Since Oct. 20 a Turkish survey vessel has encroached Cyprus’s exclusive economic zone off the island’s southern coast, according to Nicosia.

Ankara had issued a notice that a Turkish seismic vessel would carry out a survey until Dec. 30 in the same area where the Italian-Korean energy consortium ENI-Kogas is operating.

Ankara opposes the Cypriot government’s exploitation of offshore energy reserves before a deal is reached to solve the decades-long division of the east Mediterranean island.

Anastasiades, Samaras and Sisi were at a summit in Cairo on Nov. 8 to discuss regional security and economic cooperation.

November/08/2014

Turkey urged to halt gas exploration off Cyprus coast

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syprus-waren-turky-oilThe governments of Cyprus, Egypt, and Greece have called on Turkey to stop gas exploration operations off the southern coast of Cyprus.

During a meeting in the Cypriot capital, Nicosia, on Wednesday, the foreign ministers of the three countries accused Ankara of dispatching a research vessel to collect seismic data in the disputed area, describing the practice as “illegal.”

In a joint statement following their meeting, Cyprus’ Foreign Minister Ioannis Kasoulides, Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri, and Evangelos Venizelos, the Greek foreign minister, called on the Turkish government to “cease all seismic operations within the maritime zones of Cyprus.”

The top diplomats also asked Turkey to refrain from similar operations in the future.

Last week, Egypt’s energy firm, BG Egypt, announced that it had held talks with Cypriot officials on the potential of Cyprus supplying Egypt with gas.

Egypt has been grappling with a growing energy crisis over the past few years, causing anger among the Egyptians who have blamed successive governments for failing to tackle the problem.

“We are hopeful all activity in the eastern Mediterranean will conform with international regulations,” Shukri told reporters after Wednesday’s meeting.

The meeting was held amid an ongoing dispute over the right to natural gas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Earlier this month, Turkish vessel, Barbaros, entered the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of Nicosia to explore oil and gas.

Cyprus said Ankara has violated the country’s sovereign rights and threatened to block Turkey’s progress in the negotiations for its membership at the European Union.

 

Egypt to unilaterally cancel trade agreement signed with Turkey during Morsi rule

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CAIRO – Doğan News Agency

erdogan morsiTurkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has repeatedly condemned the military takeover that ousted Mohamed Morsi.

The Egyptian government has decided not to extend a comprehensive free trade agreement signed with Turkey during the rule of the ousted ex-President Mohamed Morsi, the MENA news agency reported on Oct. 28.

Ties between the two countries have been strained since Morsi’s ouster last year, with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeatedly condemning the “coup” and describing the military government as illegitimate.

An undersecretary from Egypt’s Transport Ministry was quoted as saying that the agreement, made up of several close cooperation measures including allowing ships from both countries to use their respective waters, had significantly damaged the Egyptian national economy.

He said Cairo would not extend the agreement, which is in effect until March 2015.

Both countries downgraded their diplomatic relations after Egypt withdrew its ambassador from Turkey over Ankara’s stance on the overthrow of Morsi.

Erdoğan has since repeatedly slammed Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, who led the military takeover in July 2013, turning the “rabia” sign of the Muslim Brotherhood supporters who faced a brutal crackdown in Egypt into his rallying symbol.

A recent attempt to spark dialogue between the two countries’ foreign ministers in New York was nixed after Erdoğan’s strongly-worded criticism at the U.N. General Assembly.

October/28/2014

Egypt’s president blames Sinai attacks on foreign conspiracy

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0,,17692872_404,00Speaking in the aftermath of attacks in Sinai that killed at least 31 Egyptian soldiers, President el-Sissi claimed foreign powers were behind the attack. He vowed to take extreme measures to uproot militants.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi blamed a foreign conspiracy on Saturday for attacks on army checkpoints in the Sinai Peninsula that killed at least 31 Egyptian troops. He pledged to take drastic action against militants.

Speaking before cameras ahead of a military funeral for the soldiers killed in the attack, el-Sissi said a “foreign-funded operation” was responsible, and vowed to take extreme measures to root out those responsible.

On Friday, two attacks by militants in the Sinai Peninsula on the border of Israel and the Gaza strip killed dozens of soldiers. The attacks constituted some of the worst anti-government violence since former president Mohamed Morsi was ousted last year.

“There is a big conspiracy against us,” el-Sissi said as he stood with army commanders. He also claimed that the the attacks had benefited from “foreign support,” though he did not name any specific country or organization.

“Radical measures will be taken soon in the border area with the [Gaza ]strip to confront terrorism,” el-Sisi said.

No group has yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the extremist group Ansar Beit al-Maqdis or “Champions of Jerusalem,” has carried out similar attacks on Egyptian security forces since Morsi’s ouster.

El-Sissi said in his remarks that the purpose of the attacks was to “break the will of Egypt and the Egyptians as well as the will of the Egyptian army, which is considered a pillar of Egypt.”

New security measures

Egypt is considering broadening the jurisdiction of military courts and displacing thousands of locals in order to widen a military buffer zone on the border of the Gaza strip. The expanded buffer zone would enable Egypt to pursue militants and destroy tunnels used to smuggle fighters and weapons.

On Saturday, Egypt’s National Defense Council declared a three-month state of emergency and imposed a 5 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew in areas near the borders with Israel and the Gaza Strip.

“Egypt is engaged in an existential war, which means that all Egyptians have to be united. The battle in Sinai is long,” el-Sissi said.

Egyptian officials have claimed that violence is being organized by the deposed Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood, which has been the subject of a rigorous crackdown since the military took back power last year. The Muslim Brotherhood has denied any involvement and condemned the attacks.

bw/jm (AP, Reuters, dpa)