Turkish intelligence has informed Libya’s new Government of National Unity (GNU) that Ankara will continue to offer training and expertise in line with the agreements struck with its predecessor, the Government of National Accord (GNA), reported local media.
GNA sources, however, informed Ankara that the government will no longer resort to Syrian mercenaries.
The ones already present in Libya will be deported to Turkey, said a government source.
Head of the GNU Abdulhamid Dbeibeh and new head of the Presidential Council Mohammed al-Menfi are set to soon visit Turkey to review agreements signed between Tripoli and Ankara, as well as the fate of mercenaries aligned with the GNA.
Dbeibeh and Menfi had both received on Saturday telephone calls from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
He said that the sovereignty, independence and unity of “sisterly Libya” were fundamental for Turkey. He vowed that Ankara will continue to provide all forms of necessary support to Libya, stressing the need to bolster and expand cooperation.
Separately, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio paid a visit to Tripoli on Sunday, the first by a European official since the formation of the GNU.
During his surprise visit, he held talks with Dbeibeh, Menfi and his counterpart Najla el-Mangoush.
He underlined Rome’s support for Libya in all fields and its efforts to unify its sovereign state institutions.
Menfi’s office revealed that Italy has started to increase its diplomatic representation in Libya.
