Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
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Turkey Prepares to Set Up Base in Misrata

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks at the 6th Ordinary Convention in Antalya province, Turkey, March 3, 2018. (Presidential handout photo)

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is conducting talks with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA) for the possible use of the Misrata naval base and Al-Watiya airbase.

Turkish Naval Forces Commander Adm. Adnan Ozbal paid a visit to Libya and met Libyan Army's Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Mohammed Al-Sharif. They discussed the latest developments in Libya and the possibility of using Al-Watiya airbase and in addition to inaugurating a naval base in Misrata.

On November 27, Ankara and GNA signed two separate pacts, one that encompasses military cooperation and the other maritime boundaries of the two countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

A Turkish business delegation is set to visit Libya within two weeks to assess how Turkey’s companies and banks can help rebuild the war-torn country and secure its energy needs, sources told Reuters.

Politicians could join the upcoming trip by what they called a “committee” of business representatives. They will craft a business plan and initially focus on meeting Libya’s energy needs and re-building and renewing its infrastructure, sources added.

Earlier, a senior Turkish delegation visited the GNA on June 18 to discuss the Libyan updates and the return of Turkish firms in Libya as well as energy and reconstruction projects.

Also, Erdogan expressed support to the "legitimate government" in Libya that is seeking the country’s unity. The president was speaking to the members of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) via videoconference.

He added that Turkey will not leave the fate of the Libyan people at the mercy of putschists and will continue to act in line with international law.



The Head of the Arab League Slams Israel's Occupation of a Syrian Buffer Zone

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
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The Head of the Arab League Slams Israel's Occupation of a Syrian Buffer Zone

Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany
Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Aboul Gheit attends the Arab League's foreign ministers meeting in Cairo, Egypt April 21, 2019. Reuters/Mohamed Abd El Ghany

The head of the Arab League is warning against Israel’s “expansionist greed” in Syria and the exploitation of the current “delicate moment” following the ouster of Syria's President Bashar Assad.

Ahmed Aboul Gheit urged the UN Security Council on Thursday to remain committed to the 1974 Israel-Syria truce following the 1973 Mideast war. The truce established a UN-patrolled demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries.

After Assad’s ouster on Dec. 8, Israeli forces occupied the buffer zone inside Syria, calling it a temporary move to block hostile forces.

Aboul Gheit emphasized that “the occupation of the Golan is illegal and unjustified except by the expansionist desires of Israel.”

The Arab League secretary-general said the 22-member organization supports the Syrian people’s aspirations “for a better life after long suffering at the hands of the previous regime.”

“We hope that Syria will undergo a successful transition that will pave the way to an end of the crisis without any foreign intervention, while preserving the Syrian unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he said.