PodcastRussia 'very concerned' by prospect of Turkey sending troops into Libya
Russia is very concerned by the prospect of Turkey sending troops into Libya, Interfax reported, citing a Russian Foreign Ministry source, who also said that the security deal signed between Turkey and Libya's internationally recognized government raises many questions for Russia. Hours later, Erdoğan said that Turkey can't remain silent against "mercenaries" like Russian-backed Wagner that support the forces of Khalifa Haftar in Libya.
Duvar English
Russia on Dec. 20 said it was very concerned by Turkey potentially sending troops to Libya and that a security deal between the two nations raised many questions, the Interfax news agency cited a source at Russia's foreign ministry.
Libya's internationally recognized government said on Dec. 19 it had ratified a security and military cooperation deal with Turkey, in an effort to end a months-long offensive by rival forces.
The Cabinet of the Government of National Accord (GNA) held an emergency meeting with military commanders on confronting an offensive by eastern Libyan forces led by Khalifa Haftar on the capital, Tripoli.
After the meeting, the officials unanimously accepted activation of the pact, said a statement by the office of Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj.
Tripoli-based news network Libya February TV said the GNA would seek military support from the U.S., U.K., and Italy.
On Nov. 27, Ankara and Tripoli reached two separate memorandums of understanding (MoU), one on military cooperation and the other on maritime boundaries of countries in eastern Mediterranean.
Following the military cooperation deal, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Ankara might consider sending troops to Libya if the Tripoli government made such a request.
In April, Haftar's forces launched a military campaign to capture Tripoli, but has so far failed to progress beyond the city's outskirts. However, on Dec. 12, Haftar announced he had ordered his militants to launch a "decisive battle" to capture the city.
Since the ouster of late leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.
'Turkey can't remain silent on Russia-backed 'mercenaries' in Libya'
Also on Dec. 20, Erdoğan said that Turkey can't remain silent against "mercenaries" like Russian-backed Wagner that support the forces of Khalifa Haftar in Libya.
"Through the group named Wagner, they are literally working as Haftar's mercenaries in Libya. You know who is paying them," Erdoğan said.
"That is the case, and it would not be right for us to remain silent against all of this. We have done our best until now, and will continue to do so," he added.