In an attention-grabbing statement on June 20th, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi claimed that his country had “a legitimate right to intervene in neighbouring Libya and defend itself after receiving direct threats from terrorist militias and mercenaries”. This followed the eastward advance of military forces loyal to the Government of National Accord (GNA). Sisi added that he had ordered the Egyptian army to “be ready to carry out any mission outside the country, if necessary.” Reportedly, his main aim would be to protect Egypt’s 1,200-km western border with Libya.