Gates Reassures Egypt on Libya

The Washington Post reports:

CAIRO — The United States and its allies are straining to maintain Arab support for the war in Libya as pledges of military participation by outside Arab countries have not materialized and popular opinion in the region begins to shift.

On Wednesday, Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates arrived in Cairo to reassure Egyptian officials that the fighting and instability in Libya would not spill over the border, U.S. officials said. Gates met with Egypt’s new prime minister, Essam Sharaf, and was scheduled to see the country’s military ruler, Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, on Thursday.

“The Egyptians obviously have a lot of concerns about Libya,” said a senior U.S. defense official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door talks. “I’m sure the field marshal will be anxious to hear from the secretary on what’s going on.”

The Obama administration has said Arab backing was a critical factor in its decision to push for the U.N. Security Council resolution authorizing the military intervention in Libya. Specifically, the White House has cited the Arab League’s endorsement of a no-fly zone over Libya, as well as promises by Arab countries to join in the operation.

Since the no-fly zone was imposed, however, the Arab League has expressed concern about civilian casualties, and no Arab country has yet played a direct military role.

Qatar has deployed four fighter jets to the Mediterranean region and could help enforce the no-fly zone in the coming days, according to NATO officials, but the Persian Gulf emirate has been coy about its precise intentions.

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