Turkey Says Ready for Libya Deployment to Support UN-backed Government
i24NEWS - AFP
December 10, 2019, 09:53 AM
Presidential Press Service via AP, PoolTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul. Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Turkey upping support for Libya's gov't after reports on Russian mercs arriving to back its rival strongman
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he was ready to deploy Turkish troops to Libya should the Tripoli-based UN-backed government ask to do so.
"On the issue of sending soldiers... If Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement," he said in a televised appearance.
Turkey signed a military agreement last month with Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
The agreement followed reports that Russia had sent 200 mercenaries to support Libya's eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is seeking to take over Tripoli.
Russia has denied the reports, but Erdogan said: "There is a security company from Russia (in Libya) called Wagner. This company sent its security staff there."
Earlier, it was reported the US believed Russian forces could be to blame for a US drone lost over Libya.
The Wagner Group is a shadowy private security firm, which is reportedly established by Putin's close associate Evgeniy Prigozhin.
Thousands of its security operators are believed to be have deployed to work as Russia's hand in foreign conflicts from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic.
At the same time as the military deal, Turkey also signed a controversial maritime jurisdiction agreement with Sarraj, giving sweeping rights for Turkey to explore for oil in the Mediterranean.
"With the new line drawn (by the maritime agreement), we will take steps to protect the interests of Libya, Turkey and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). This is in line with international law," he said.
The deal has been staunchly opposed by Greece, Cyprus and their European partners, who argue it violates the islands' maritime rights.
December 10, 2019, 09:53 AM
Presidential Press Service via AP, PoolTurkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan speaks during a meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), in Istanbul. Monday, Dec. 9, 2019.
Turkey upping support for Libya's gov't after reports on Russian mercs arriving to back its rival strongman
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday he was ready to deploy Turkish troops to Libya should the Tripoli-based UN-backed government ask to do so.
"On the issue of sending soldiers... If Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement," he said in a televised appearance.
Turkey signed a military agreement last month with Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj.
The agreement followed reports that Russia had sent 200 mercenaries to support Libya's eastern-based strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is seeking to take over Tripoli.
Russia has denied the reports, but Erdogan said: "There is a security company from Russia (in Libya) called Wagner. This company sent its security staff there."
Earlier, it was reported the US believed Russian forces could be to blame for a US drone lost over Libya.
The Wagner Group is a shadowy private security firm, which is reportedly established by Putin's close associate Evgeniy Prigozhin.
Thousands of its security operators are believed to be have deployed to work as Russia's hand in foreign conflicts from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic.
At the same time as the military deal, Turkey also signed a controversial maritime jurisdiction agreement with Sarraj, giving sweeping rights for Turkey to explore for oil in the Mediterranean.
"With the new line drawn (by the maritime agreement), we will take steps to protect the interests of Libya, Turkey and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). This is in line with international law," he said.
The deal has been staunchly opposed by Greece, Cyprus and their European partners, who argue it violates the islands' maritime rights.
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