Head of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Kemal Kilicdaroglu demanded the immediate release of journalists detained on the background of reporting the death of Turkish intelligence agent in Libya and his secret burial in Turkey.
Last March, Turkish authorities arrested six journalists for reporting the death of a member of the Turkish Intelligence Service in Libya. A news website also posted a video which it said was for the secret burial ceremony in Manisa, west of Turkey.
Kilicdaroglu, who is head of Turkey’s largest opposition party, strongly condemned the indictment against the journalists who were arrested for “violating the intelligence law” and sentenced between seven to 18 years.
Meanwhile, Turkey called on the international community to take immediate action after the Libyan National Army (LNA) commander, Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar, announced himself as “ruler of Libya.”
Ankara accused Haftar of seeking to “create a military dictatorship” and renewed its support to the Government of National Accord (GNA), chaired by Fayez al-Sarraj.
The Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement that Haftar's announcement of himself as governor "confirms his rejection of political dialogue and international efforts, including the results of the Berlin Conference, and again shows his goal of establishing a military dictatorship in Libya."
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement indicating that this announcement demonstrated, once again, that Haftar “does not seek a political solution to the crisis in Libya.”
It said Haftar worsened the humanitarian situation with his attacks in Libya, and blocked oil production, water supply, and even "prevented the supply of medical equipment needed by the Libyan people" during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The statement urged the international community to respond to Haftar, who undoubtedly exposed his intention to establish a junta regime in Libya.
It asserted that Turkey will continue to stand by the brotherly Libyan people in defending GNA and all other legitimate institutions of Libya.
Also, Justice and Development (AK) Party accused Haftar of being a coup plotter and asserted Turkey’s continuous support to the GNA.
“Haftar attempted a coup. He tries to give himself some authorities that have no legal basis,” said AK’s spokesman Omer Celik.
Speaking at a press videoconference after the party’s board meeting, Celik stressed that Turkey will stand behind the UN-recognized government and continue to support them for the sake of Libyan people's future.
