The Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg expressed the willingness of the Alliance to provide support to the government of the Libyan National Accord, while Turkey asked Libya for permission to explore for gas in the eastern Mediterranean.
Stoltenberg's remarks on NATO's readiness to support the Al-Wefaq government are a noteworthy development, at a time when Haftar's attacks on civilians and diplomatic missions in Tripoli have raised international positions.
In an interview with the Italian newspaper "La Repubblica", the Secretary-General of NATO said that the alliance supports the United Nations efforts to reach a peace agreement in Libya.
He added that there is an arms embargo in Libya that must be respected by all parties.
But he made it clear that this did not mean putting the forces led by Haftar and the Fayez al-Sarraj government, recognized by the United Nations, on the same level.
On the other hand, Stoltenberg discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan regional issues, especially the developments in the situation in Libya.
In New York, the United Nations renewed the call to stop fighting in Libya to resist the outbreak of the Coronavirus.
The outcome of operations
In recent weeks, Al-Wefaq government forces managed to destroy a number of military sites and equipment and warplanes of the retired Major General Khalifa Hifter, while tightening their siege on the strategic al-Wataya base in western Libya.
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Al-Wefaq Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj had said earlier that Operation Peace Storm would be a strong response to the terrorist attackers.
Operation Storm of Peace includes three fronts, namely, the capital, Tripoli, the base of Al-Wattiya (western Libya), and Bogrin (east of the city of Misrata).
On Wednesday evening, Al-Wefaq forces issued a statement, in which it sent a final warning to Haftar forces holed up at Al-Wattia base, affirming its intention to extend state control to Al-Qaeda and all parts of Libya.
On the other hand, on Thursday, Haftar forces fired several missiles at residential areas in the center of the capital, Tripoli, and a hospital, wounding 14 civilians.
Turkish request
On the other hand, the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) submitted a request to Libya to obtain a permit to explore in the eastern Mediterranean, which contains large reserves of gas.
The Anatolia News Agency quoted Turkish Energy Minister Fatih Donmez as saying that the exploration work will begin immediately after the completion of the process.
It is noteworthy that the Libyan National Accord government signed an agreement with Turkey last November to establish an exclusive economic zone from the southern Turkish coast on the Mediterranean to the northeastern coast of Libya.
The agreement, which coincided with another agreement for military cooperation between the two countries, sparked opposition from Egypt, Greece, Cyprus and Israel.