World Bulletin / News Desk

Algeria has rejected a request to intervene militarily in neighboring Libya to restore stability to the violence-wracked country, an Algerian diplomatic source said Monday.

"Former Libyan lawmakers and officials had visited Algeria in late June and asked for an Algerian military intervention to impose legitimacy in the capital Tripoli and repel warring militias," the source told Anadolu Agency.

According to the source, the proposal was backed by the Arab League, the United States, Egypt and France.

"But senior Algerian officials told the Libyan envoys that Algeria refuses to militarily intervene outside its borders even under international mandate," the source said.

Meanwhile, the source said that Egypt awaits an Algerian response to a proposal to provide military support to Libyan forces.

"Algeria has not yet responded to the Egyptian proposal, which is backed by the U.S. and France," the source added.

There was no comment from Egypt or Algeria on the report.

Last month, Algerian Prime Minister Abdelmalek Sellal ruled out any military intervention in neighboring countries.

Libya has been plagued by heavy fighting between a loosely organized army and militias that clung to their weapons following a bloody uprising that ended the autocracy of long-serving ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

The capital Tripoli has been the scene of fierce clashes between warring militias over control of several vital facilities in the city.

Benghazi, the country's second largest city, has also turned into a battlefield between troops loyal to reneged general Khalifa Haftar and Ansar Al-Sharia militia.

Egypt denies plans for military intervention in Libya

Egypt has denied reports about planning a military intervention in next-door Libya to halt violence in the troubled Arab country.

"There is no talk of intervention of any kind in Libya," Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri told a press conference on Monday following talks with Tunisian Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa.

"The main mission of the Egyptian army is to secure and protect Egyptian borders," he added.

Shoukri said that Egypt supports political dialogue to resolve the conflict in Libya.

Earlier Monday, Egypt's President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi called on fighting militias in Libya to lay down their arms and engage in dialogue to end violence in the country.

Speaking during a meeting with Arab League Secretary-General Nabil al-Arabi, al-Sisi said Egypt was keen to cement cooperation and coordination with Libya's neighbors, according to presidential spokesman Ihab Badawi.