Erdoğan: Turkey to continue to stand in full solidarity with Libya's GNA
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday expressed "full solidarity" with Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) during a meeting in Istanbul, his office said. Erdogan met with the head of the Tripoli-based government, Fayez al-Sarraj, who last month announced plans to step down.
- World
- Reuters
- Published Date: 10:50 | 05 October 2020
- Modified Date: 02:30 | 05 October 2020
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on Sunday Turkey aims to strengthen relations with Libya's internationally-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) after a meeting with the country's prime minister, who plans to step down this month.
Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj signed a military cooperation deal with Turkey last year that turned the tide in the GNA's favour in a conflict against eastern Libyan forces under putschist general Khalifa Haftar's Libyan National Army (LNA).
After a meeting between the men and their top deputies in Istanbul, the Presidency said Turkey will continue to stand in "full solidarity" with the GNA, aims to strengthen ties and remains ready to provide all kinds of support.
Last month Erdoğan said Turkey was upset by ally Sarraj's decision to step down. Serraj's government declared a ceasefire on Aug. 21 in the north African country's conflict.
The Ankara-Tripoli military deal was signed alongside a maritime demarcation agreement that emboldened Turkey to ramp up hydrocarbon exploration in the Eastern Mediterranean.
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