By RFIPosted on 16-12-2019Changed on 16-12-2019 at 19:03
On December 16, the day after a closed-door meeting between Fayez al-Sarraj and Khalifa Haftar, the Turkish Parliament ratified an agreement which provides, among other things, for a Turkish presence in the country as well as training of military cades by Ankara.
Until now, Turkish aid to the Fayez al-Sarraj camp has been limited to weapons, military vehicles, drones and Turkish experts to operate them.
On the evening of December 15, after meeting behind closed doors with the Libyan leader, their second meeting in less than 20 days, Recep Tayyip Edogan said that he will take all necessary measures to send troops to Libya this time.
Furthermore, he again attacked Khalifa Haftar and described the marshal as " illegal, just like his army ". One of the Turkish President's advisers even said on December 16: " Libya is now under our responsibility ".
Haftar's advance, Sarraj weakened
The Turkish parliament therefore ratified the military and security agreement signed last November with Libya on December 16, which gives Turkey the possibility of being present on Libyan territory. It also provides for the training by Turkey of military and security officials in Libya. Finally, it provides for the supply by Ankara of all kinds of weapons to this country.
Fayez al-Sarraj has been weakened in Tripoli since the advance of Marshal Khalifa Haftar, last week in Tripoli. The strong man from the east of the country has been waging an offensive since last April to take control of the country. Its forces are supported by the United Arab Emirates and Egypt, two regional rivals from Ankara.
► Read also: Turkey says ready to send troops to support Tripoli
On the same subject
Libya: Marshal Haftar announces a "broad and total assault" on Tripoli
Turkey says ready to send troops to support Tripoli
Libya: tense situation in the capital between militias close to el-Sarraj
Libya: national unity government signs military agreement with Ankara
comments