Turkey Calls on US to Play ‘More Active Role’ in Libya

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a joint news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia January 13, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via Reuters
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a joint news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia January 13, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via Reuters
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Turkey Calls on US to Play ‘More Active Role’ in Libya

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a joint news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia January 13, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via Reuters
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attend a joint news conference following their talks in Moscow, Russia January 13, 2020. Pavel Golovkin/Pool via Reuters

The United States needs to play a more active role in Libya, both in achieving a ceasefire and in political talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Thursday.

The involvement of the United States in Libya, a NATO ally, was important to protect the alliance’s interests, Cavusoglu said in an interview with broadcaster NTV.

Turkish and US officials would discuss possible steps on Libya, as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his US counterpart Donald Trump agreed during a call on Monday, he added.

“Only a lasting ceasefire under UN auspices would be acceptable,” he stressed, dismissing a ceasefire proposal by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Trump also discussed Libya with Sisi on Wednesday, including means to resume UN ceasefire talks and the departure of all foreign forces from the country.

Turkey supports Fayez al Sarraj’s Government of National Accord (GNA), which is involved in ongoing clashes with Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA).

Haftar will “certainly disappear” if he loses support, Turkey's Defense Minister said on Wednesday, justifying his country’s military presence in Libya as due to an “invitation received from the GNA.”

As Turkey stands against Haftar, it is aiding the Libyan government with military training, cooperation and advisors, Hulusi Akar noted.

He said in a television interview that Turkey is making double efforts to bring peace throughout Libya.

Regarding Russia, Akar said Moscow has refuted reports on its forces’ presence in Libya, saying Ankara holds dialogues with it on the war-torn country.

Turkish-Russian dialogue on Libya will reflect positively on the country’s future, he said, affirming that bilateral talks are taking place at all levels.



Hamas Rejects Trump Remarks on Gaza Talks Breakdown

Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, at the Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, on February 22. (EPA)
Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, at the Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, on February 22. (EPA)
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Hamas Rejects Trump Remarks on Gaza Talks Breakdown

Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, at the Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, on February 22. (EPA)
Members of the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, at the Al-Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, on February 22. (EPA)

Hamas officials expressed surprise on Saturday at US President Donald Trump's accusation that the group "didn't really want" a ceasefire and hostage release deal for Gaza.

Trump made the allegation of Friday a day after Israel and the United States quit indirect negotiations with Hamas in Qatar that had lasted nearly three weeks.

"Trump's remarks are particularly surprising, especially as they come at a time when progress had been made on some of the negotiation files," Hamas official Taher al-Nunu told AFP.

"So far, we have not been informed of any issues regarding the files under discussion in the indirect ceasefire negotiations", he added

Nunu, who is close to Hamas's most senior political officials, said he was "surprised" that Israel and the United States had left the talks.

Announcing the recall of US mediators on Thursday, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff accused Hamas of not "acting in good faith".

Though not part of the Hamas negotiating team, Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq insisted the group had shown "flexibility" in the talks.

"The American statements deliberately ignore the real obstructionist to all agreements, Netanyahu's government, which continues to put obstacles, deceive and evade commitments," he said.

Both Hamas officials called on the United States to be more even-handed in its role as mediator in the quest for a ceasefire after more than 21 months of fighting.

"We call for an end to the US bias in favour of Netanyahu, who is obstructing any agreement", Nunu said.