Turkey Admits its Support for Sarraj Stopped Libyan Army’s Advance
Arab World
Ankara - Saeed Abdulrazek
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that the Libyan National Army (LNA) is losing ground thanks to his country’s support to the Government of National Accord (GNA). "Hopefully, we will soon receive more good news from Libya,” said Erdogan. He said Turkey is determined to continue supporting the GNA led by Fayez al-Sarraj to transform the area into an “oasis of peace.” In remarks following a cabinet meeting, Erdogan said that LNA leader Khalifa Haftar is facing opposition from the people, even in the areas he controls. He indicated that the unlimited financial support and weapons provided by some countries to Haftar will not be enough to save him. "The safety of Libya and the peace and well-being of the Libyan people are the key to the stability of all of North Africa and the Mediterranean." Last week, Erdogan and Sarraj discussed over the phone the situation in Libya, and issues of mutual interest and ways to enhance bilateral relations. Meanwhile, the Turkish presidency said Haftar is losing power, calling on all countries supporting him to “rethink their positions.” Turkey’s communications director, Fahrettin Altun, asserted that due to Ankara’s support for the GNA, the “destabilizing and illegitimate” Haftar forces are losing ground in Libya. “All those powers supporting Haftar must rethink their position and invest in the legitimate government for peace and stability,” Altun said on Twitter. Last month, GNA forces and allied militias controlled a number of cities on the northwestern coast of Libya, with the support of Turkey, which interfered through its airforce. Turkey also transported weapons, air defense units, and thousands of militants from the Syrian factions. Turkey is paying them salaries as mercenaries to fight alongside Sarraj’s militias in an attempt to hinder LNA’s progress towards Tripoli. An official from the LNA’s General Command said that Turkey had recently provided GNA militias with new weapons, which arrived at the ports of Misrata and Tripoli through cargo ships. He stressed that the arms were used on the battlefronts in Tripoli, even in residential areas and vital centers. He also noted that sophisticated air defense systems were installed, as well as newly manufactured surface-to-surface missiles, jamming devices, and Turkish-made heavy-caliber mortars. The military official stressed that Turkey continues to financially and politically support the GNA militias, despite international calls to end the fighting and enter a humanitarian truce during the month of Ramadan, which was approved by the LNA.
from Asharq AL-awsat https://aawsat.com/english/home/article/2270241/turkey-admits-its-support-sarraj-stopped-libyan-army%E2%80%99s-advance
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