REUTERS
Egypt and Libya are bolstering their fight against terrorists. The countries’ prime ministers announced in October 2014 that Egypt will train Libyan forces to fight terrorism, and together they will secure their shared border.
Lawlessness in eastern Libya has enabled terrorists to set up makeshift training sites just a few kilometers from Egypt’s border, according to Egyptian security officials.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has called for decisive action against terrorists based in Libya. His views were seconded by Libyan officials.
The two governments will secure the border through bilateral military cooperation, improved efficiencies and police training.
The porous 1,115-kilometer border between Egypt and Libya makes it easy for terrorists to move in both directions.
Egyptian security officials are especially alarmed over militants operating in and around the Libyan city of Derna, an Islamist and al-Qaida hot spot a few hundred kilometers from the border.