Britain has a responsibility to stop the spread of Islamic extremism in Libya, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said ahead of a state visit to London.
The Egyptian leader warned that Libya had become a "danger that threatens all of us" since the UK and its Nato allies helped overthrow Colonel Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
"It was a mission that was not completely accomplished," Sisi told the Daily Telegraph. "What happened was that Libya was left without the leadership when it needed our help most."
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Libya has descended into chaos since 2011, with rival governments and militias fighting for control of the country and Islamic State extremists taking advantage of the power vacuum.
Sisi urged David Cameron to stop the flow of funds and weapons and foreign fighters to the region. "All the members of Nato, including Britain, who took part in the mission to overthrow Gaddafi need to give their help," he said.
The president is expected to arrive in the UK today on a trip that has already been marred by controversy. Hundreds of people are expected to join protests outside Downing Street condemning the government for extending an invitation to a leader accused of numerous human rights abuses.
"The UK should be leading the calls for change in Egypt, not rolling out the red carpet for its increasingly authoritarian ruler," said Andre Smith from the Campaign Against Arms Trade.
"We are protesting because we want an end to arms sales to Egypt and an end to the political support that bolsters the regime," he told The Guardian.
Downing Street has defended its decision to host Sisi, arguing that the stronger the working relationship between the two countries, the more there can "be necessary and frank discussions on areas of disagreement".
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