Egyptian PM: No Plan for Military Action against ’ISIL’

Local Editor

Egypt has no plans to provide the United States with direct military assistance in its war against "ISIL" in Iraq and Syria even though American aerial bombardment may not be enough to defeat the group, the country's prime minister said.

But Ibrahim Mehleb left open the possibility of military action if Cairo's Gulf Arab allies are threatened by the al-Qaeda offshoot.

Mehleb said Egypt's priority is ensuring stability at home, where security officials face resilient insurgents based in the Sinai Peninsula and regard militants in neighboring Libya as a serious threat.

"For the Egyptian army the most important thing is its borders and the stability of its country and the protection of its country," Mehleb said.
He spoke hours after a bomb killed six Egyptian soldiers in the Sinai.

But Mehleb appeared more flexible on the issue of Egyptian intervention when it comes to the security of oil-producing Gulf Arab allies Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In parallel, he stressed that Egypt never wants to interfere in the affairs of other states. But he went on to say:
"The security of the Gulf is the security of Egypt and Egypt's security is the Gulf's security."

Asked if the most populous Arab country would be willing to step in if Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates tell Cairo that "ISIL" has emerged as a threat to their security, Mehleb said: "We will cross that bridge when we get there."

Asked to assess whether the United States would have to escalate beyond airstrikes to defeat the "ISIL" in Iraq and Syria, Mehleb was cautious.

He noted that it was vital to improve the performance of Iraq's army.
"Let's wait. The aerial intervention and the presence of the Iraqi army on the ground without doubt will have an impact, a positive impact in containing terrorism. The situation is difficult," said Mehleb.

Moreover, he mentioned: "The aerial intervention of the United States is a very important intervention at this stage. But is it enough? With the strengthening of the Iraqi army and the presence of the Iraqi army on the ground. We must evaluate step by step. It is still too early to judge what will happen in the field."

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team