Syrian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem said Syria supports Egyptian interventions in Libya, during a press conference in Damascus on Tuesday.

"We stand with the brothers in Arab Egypt, in order to defend their national security as well as the Arab national security," said Muallem. "We are ready to provide them with support, if they want any support from Syria, regardless of their stance regarding our issues."

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi warned of a possible direct intervention in Libya if forces supporting the UN-backed Government of National Accord advanced on the city of Sirte.

During the press conference, Muallem said Syria is in favour of a ceasefire and the resumption of peace talks, while voicing support Libyan National Army (LNA) led by Khalifa Haftar and "the institutions that have been established in eastern Libya."

The minister also discussed the issue of US sanctions, saying newly implemented sanctions from the Caesar Act were intended to influence upcoming presidential elections in Syria, saying, "President Bashar al-Assad will stay as long as the Syrian people want him to stay."

The minister also blasted the Kurds for "assuming that the United States will continue to support them," and called on them cooperate with the Syrian government, because the US "does not defend its interests, rather defends the interests of Israel."