Turkish defense minister denies collapse of Libya ceasefire

It's too early to say that the ceasefire in Libya collapsed, Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar has said, adding that Ankara's efforts to reach a solution in the conflict will continue. Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also commented on the conflict, saying that Haftar doesn't want peace. He doesn't want a political process, he seeks a military solution," Turkey's top diplomat said.

Wednesday January 15 2020 03:06 pm

Duvar English

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said on Jan. 15 it was too early to say that a ceasefire in Libya had collapsed after Khalifa Haftar, commander of eastern Libyan forces, failed to sign a binding truce at talks this week.

The talks in Moscow aimed to halt Haftar's nine-month campaign to seize the Libyan capital, Tripoli, from forces aligned with the internationally recognized government of Fayez al-Serraj.

Since Muammar Gaddafi was toppled in 2011, the North African country has been in turmoil, with outside powers providing support to rival factions. Turkey backs Serraj's government.

"We cannot say that the ceasefire has collapsed, it's much too early for such an interpretation," Akar told reporters in Ankara, adding that Ankara was waiting for the outcome of efforts by Moscow, which has given support to Haftar.

Turkey's parliament on Jan. 2 approved a motion on deploying troops to Libya in support of the Government of National Accord (GNA) led by Serraj.

Turkey has sent a training and cooperation team which is now active in Libya, Akar said, adding that Ankara will continue its efforts regarding the conflict.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Jan. 14 Turkey would "teach a lesson" to Haftar if his attacks against the Tripoli-based government continued.

On Jan. 19, Germany will host a summit on Libya involving the rival camps, their main foreign backers and representatives from the United Nations, the United States, Russia, Britain, France, China, Turkey and Italy.

Commenting on the summit, Akar said that a solution can be reached there.

Also on Jan. 15, Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said that it's not appropriate to take sides in the conflict.

"We see that some European countries have been taking sides. A solution should be searched for," Çavuşoğlu said, adding that Ankara is not pessimistic about the Libyan conflict.

"There's the reality that Haftar doesn't want peace. He doesn't want a political process, he seeks a military solution," he also said.