05.07.12 Libya Focus
Libyan relations with Egypt soured by another weapons haul
More heavy weapons – apparently en route from Libya to Gaza - have been seized
by the Egyptian security forces. Following on from discoveries including 50
missiles, 7 machine guns and large quantities of ammunition at Marsa Matruh in
early
May and 100 rockets and 25 anti-tank grenade launchers later that same month,
this latest haul has been described as the biggest yet. The Egyptians do not
take
kindly to this flood of weapons from Libya which cause grave security concerns
and, unsurprisingly, the Israelis who fear they are the end target for the
ammunition continue to protest.
Meanwhile, a congratulatory message from National Transitional Council (NTC) chairman, Mustafa Abdel Jalil, on behalf of the Libyan government and people to Egypt's newly elected
president, the Muslim Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi, will do little to smooth ruffled relations here. It will, however, be very
interesting to see if the Muslim Brotherhood's electoral success in both Egypt
and
Tunisia is replicated in this week's Libyan elections. While the party is
probably the best organised and funded the electoral law only allocates 80
seats to
party lists and 120 to individual candidates so, even if it does very well, the
Brotherhood is unlikely to win a large majority in Libya.
For more news and expert analysis about Libya, please see Libya Focus and Libya Politics & Security.
For more news and expert analysis about Egypt, please see Egypt Politics & Security.
© 2012 Menas Associates