Turkey reaffirmed that it will continue to provide the forces of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA) with military and security training and consultation.
Turkey threw its support behind the GNA on November 27, 2019, after signing a military cooperation pact alongside a maritime demarcation deal. This gave Ankara exploration rights in the eastern Mediterranean, that Greece and other countries reject.
Ankara also noted that it will carry on consultations with Moscow about Libya.
The Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, held a meeting in Ankara with his newly-appointed Libyan counterpart, Salah Al-Din Al-Namroush. They discussed the latest developments in the country.
Akar confirmed that Ankara continues to provide training and advisory services in Libya.
During the talks, Akar also stated that Turkey will always support the UN-recognized GNA in its ongoing conflict against the Libyan National Army (LNA). This support is in order to achieve permanent security and stability in the country.
Akar stressed the struggle of the Turkish nation to maintain its independence, sovereignty, as well as protecting its interests.
It is worth noting that Ankara also backs the GNA by providing arms and mercenaries to fight along with their forces against the Libyan National Army (LNA). Accounts of Syrian mercenaries traveling to Libya through Turkey have been documented.
Furthermore, the GNA had sent military cadets to Turkey to wrap up their military studies.
In other news, during delegation talks in Moscow, Turkey and Russia agreed on the need for a political solution to the Libyan conflict.
“During the negotiations, our part highlighted the importance of Sirte and al-Jufra for a sustainable and lasting ceasefire in Libya. We accentuated the need to determine the modalities to clear these regions of military forces and declared in this manner support for the 5+5 military committee between Libyans under the auspices of the UN,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
The need for a comprehensive dialogue among the Libyan parties and for the implementation of the Berlin conference decisions were underlined, the statement added.
It also indicated that Turkey and Russia would continue to work toward a political solution to the Libyan civil war.
Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal, accompanied by an interagency delegation, was in Moscow on Monday and Tuesday to discuss regional developments, in particular Libya and Syria, with Russian counterparts.
Turkey and Russia launched an initiative in Istanbul on Jan 8 to de-escalate the situation on the ground and pave the way for a political process in Libya.
