Egypt transports Abrams tanks to Libyan border as it calls for U.N. to enforce ceasefire

CAIRO – Egypt deployed a number of Abrams Main Battle Tanks to its border with Libya on Sunday as it moves to strengthen the position of General Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).

A video posted to social media on Sunday evening showed a convoy of at least 18 M1A2 Abrams Main Battle Tanks travelling on flatbed trucks towards the border.

Several Mi-24 attack helicopters were also reported to be flying in the area yesterday.

The Egyptian build-up at the border follows the Saturday unveiling of an Egyptian initiative to end the Libyan civil war.

Alongside Haftar and Aguila Saleh Issa, President of Libya’s House of Representatives, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced his plan in Cairo.

“This initiative calls for respecting all international efforts and initiatives by declaring a ceasefire from 6pm [16:00 GMT] Monday, June 8, 2020,” President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said during a press conference on Saturday.

El-Sisi called for the United Nations and international community to enforce a ceasefire, remove all foreign mercenaries from Libyan territory, and bring Libya’s opposing sides to the negotiating table.