DAMASCUS, June 23 (Xinhua) -- Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Moallem said Tuesday his country is ready to support Egypt to protect its national security regarding the situation in Libya.
"We stand by the side of the brothers in Egypt in defending their national security ... and if they wanted any Syrian support, we are ready for that," al-Moallem said in a press conference in capital Damascus.
The top diplomat made the remarks as Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, a supporter of Libya's eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar, threatened to deploy troops in Libya.
The aim of the troops' deployment is to halt an advance by fighters loyal to the internationally-recognized Government of National Accord based in Tripoli to the coastal city of Sirte as well as a key air base in the southern town of Jufrah.
Regarding the situation in Libya, al-Moallem said Libya is the "victim of the external greed and intervention."
He said that in principle, Syria supports a cease-fire in Libya, adding that the Syrian government calls for the continuation of the 5+5 talks. Enditem
