Turkey's main opposition objects sending troops to Libya

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has said that his party will not back a motion on deploying troops to Libya amid a deal reached between the internationally-recognized government in Tripoli and Ankara.

"We object to our soldiers getting killed on the deserts of Libya," Kılıçdaroğlu said, adding that the policies pursued in Libya and Syria would only do Ankara harm.

Last week, both Ankara and Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA) ratified the memorandum on military cooperation, signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Fayez Sarraj on Nov. 27. Among everything, the document provides for military support between the parties.

Ankara plans to deploy troops to Libya to support the GNA against eastern Libyan forces led by strongman Khalifa Haftar, should Sarraj’s government ask.

Erdoğan, who has vowed to prevent the fall of Sarraj’s government, could order the deployment of Turkish military in Libya in early January, after securing the approval of parliament.

"What business do we have in Libya?" Kılıçdaroğlu asked, adding that the ruling Justice and Government Party (AKP) wants to go to Libya to support the Muslim Brotherhood.

"What are the advantages of sending troops to Libya? Turkey should go to Libya to make peace between the sides and not to fight. It should talk to both parties. That should be its role," he also said.

Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu on Dec. 30 visited Kılıçdaroğlu to inform the CHP on the bill sent to parliament and the current situation in Libya.

"We told them the reasons for why we need this motion approved in the face of threats. It's up to the CHP to back the motion or not," Çavuşoğlu told reporters after the meeting.

Shortly after the minister's visit, CHP deputy leader Ünal Çeviköz said that it would be a mistake to deploy troops to Libya, since the priority should be engaging in diplomacy.

"It's wrong for Turkey to implement such foreign policy," Çeviköz told reporters, while reiterating that the CHP will not back the motion in parliament.

Çavuşoğlu is set to meet leaders of other opposition parties later in the day.