CAIRO (AP) — Egypt's president denied Sunday any military involvement in neighboring Libya, a day after Islamist militias accused Cairo of bombing their posts in Tripoli, Egypt's state news agency reported.
President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi made his comments during a meeting with editors of Egyptian newspapers and media. They came in response to accusations a day earlier by Islamist militias in Tripoli, who blamed Egypt and the United Arab Emirates for a series of mysterious airstrikes Saturday and last Monday. Two airstrikes killed 15 fighters and wounded another 30 on Saturday.
The Libyan air force denied it was behind the attacks, in part because it didn't have the capabilities or technology to carry out such guided attacks. This has raised suspicions that foreign countries, including European countries, were behind the strikes. Italy, Algeria and other countries have also denied being behind them.
Islamist militias accused a renegade general who has been waging a campaign against Islamist groups in the country's east was behind it. But it is not clear if the general has the capabilities to carry out such precision strikes.
El-Sissi said his armed forces have not carried out any military operations outside Egypt "so far." He said there are no Egyptian jets or troops in Libya. "Our troops are in our territories," el-Sissi was quoted as saying. Egyptian officials have consistently denied charges the country is involved in Libya.
El-Sissi said Egypt is in consultation with Libya's neighbors to find a political solution to the violent power struggle between rival groups. Cairo will host a conference for neighbors of Libya on Monday, where Algeria, Tunisia, Chad and other countries are taking part.