Libyan UN-backed govt reduces representation at Arab League meeting

TRIPOLI - The UN-backed government of Libya reduced its representation at the Arab League (AL) meeting on Tuesday, criticizing AL's "double standards in effect."

"Libya reduces the level of its representation in the AL meeting and criticizes the double standards in force. Until this moment, the session that Libya had been demanding since April of last year has not been held, despite obtaining quorum," the Foreign Ministry of the UN-backed government said.

"Anyone who presents peace initiatives should be neutral to everyone in Libya and should not deal with the legitimate government with statements similar to declaring war on a sovereign state and a member of the United Nations," said Libyan representative to the AL, Saleh al-Shammakhy.

A few days ago, Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi announced availability for the Egyptian army to intervene and help Libya against terrorists and armed groups.

The UN-backed government considered Sisi's remarks a "declaration of war," warning against the "consequences of interference in our affairs, which will unprecedentedly destabilize the region."

The eastern-based army and the UN-backed government of Libya were engaged in a deadly armed conflict for more than a year in and around the capital Tripoli, before the UN-backed government recently announced taking over all of western Libya after withdrawal of the rival eastern-based army.