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Turkey Affirms Continuous Support to GNA Despite Sarraj's Resignation Plan

Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj speaks during a televised speech in Tripoli, Libya September 16, 2020, in this still image taken from a video. The Media Office of the Prime Minister/Handout via REUTERS
Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj speaks during a televised speech in Tripoli, Libya September 16, 2020, in this still image taken from a video. The Media Office of the Prime Minister/Handout via REUTERS
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Turkey Affirms Continuous Support to GNA Despite Sarraj's Resignation Plan

Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj speaks during a televised speech in Tripoli, Libya September 16, 2020, in this still image taken from a video. The Media Office of the Prime Minister/Handout via REUTERS
Government of National Accord Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj speaks during a televised speech in Tripoli, Libya September 16, 2020, in this still image taken from a video. The Media Office of the Prime Minister/Handout via REUTERS

Turkey has expressed its intention to continue to support Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), despite an earlier announcement that Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj plans to resign by the end of next month.

Turkey’s agreements and cooperation with Libya’s GNA will continue despite Sarraj’s desire to quit, Presidential Spokesman Ibrahim Kalin was quoted as saying on Monday.

"These accords will not be impacted by this political period because these are decisions made by the government, not by any individual," Kalin said.

Turkish officials may travel to Tripoli "in the coming days" to discuss developments, he added.

Turkey and the GNA signed on Nov. 27 two memorandums of understanding on determining both countries' marine jurisdictions and on security and military cooperation.

President Tayyip Erdogan said Turkey was upset by Sarraj's announcement that he planned to quit, but Kalin asserted Turkish support for the GNA and their bilateral agreements.

In a related context, the GNA declared a ceasefire last month and called for the lifting of a months-long blockade on oil output. The leader of the parliament in eastern Libya also appealed for a halt to hostilities, offering hope for a de-escalation of the conflict across Libya since a 2011 uprising.

Libya's eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar said on Friday he would lift for one month his blockade on oil outputs and that he had agreed with the GNA on "fair distribution" of energy revenue.

For its part, Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) has lifted a force majeure on what it deemed secure oil ports and facilities, but said the measure would remain in place for facilities where armed groups remain.

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Egypt Reaffirms Support for Sudan Unity, Eyes Reconstruction Cooperation

Sisi, Idris hold talks in Cairo – Presidency
Sisi, Idris hold talks in Cairo – Presidency
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Egypt Reaffirms Support for Sudan Unity, Eyes Reconstruction Cooperation

Sisi, Idris hold talks in Cairo – Presidency
Sisi, Idris hold talks in Cairo – Presidency

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met Sudan’s transitional Prime Minister Kamil Idris in Cairo on Thursday to discuss ways to bolster strategic ties and support stability in Sudan, the Egyptian presidency said.

Sisi reaffirmed Egypt’s “firm position in support of Sudan’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity” and pledged “full backing for efforts to restore security and stability, end the current humanitarian crisis, and safeguard the resources of the Sudanese people,” according to the statement.

Talks also addressed ongoing efforts to resolve Sudan’s conflict and explore cooperation in post-war reconstruction.

Sudanese authorities estimate rebuilding will cost about $300 billion for Khartoum and $700 billion for the rest of the country, while the United Nations is preparing its own assessment, Reuters reported in June.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said this week that only 23% of the $4.6 billion global humanitarian response plan for Sudan has been funded.

Observers said Idris’s trip was significant as his first foreign visit, signaling Khartoum’s push for Egyptian backing amid deepening turmoil at home.

Idris also held a joint press conference with Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, saying Sudan’s ties with Egypt “will never be broken” and that both sides had agreed on a “comprehensive vision” serving the interests of both nations and future generations. He thanked Egypt for hosting “millions of Sudanese” during what he called the “brutal war” imposed on his country.

Madbouly expressed hope that Sudan would soon emerge from its crisis “to protect the lives of innocents, ease the suffering of the Sudanese people, preserve their resources, and maintain the country’s unity and independence,” rejecting any infringement “under any name or circumstances.”

The two leaders agreed to step up bilateral cooperation through activating joint political, technical and consultative mechanisms, the presidency said.