Libya: tension mounts within NATO between France and Turkey

The French frigate Courbet. O. Fourt / RFI

Text by: RFI Follow

While the defense ministers of the member countries of NATO meet this Wednesday afternoon in videoconference, France intends to take advantage of the moment to call on its partners to react to the actions of Turkey, especially in Libya. Paris indicates that the Turkish navy has recently been very aggressive in the Mediterranean towards a French ship on a mission for NATO.

Publicity

Read more

The incident could have led to an extremely serious crisis in the Mediterranean. A few days ago, off the coast of Libya, the French frigate Courbet found itself in a very unfortunate position.

While on a Marcom mission on behalf of NATO, the French ship was given control of a cargo ship. The ship from Turkey was suspected of delivering weapons, on behalf of Ankara-supported GNA forces, in violation of the arms embargo voted by the United Nations.

During its approach, the French frigate was then taken to task by Turkish warships. On three occasions, the latter illuminated the Courbet with their fire control. Behind their hides, the Turkish sailors were in the firing position, bullet-proof vest on the shoulders, heavy helmet on the head. An unprecedentedly aggressive maneuver denounces Paris, who insists that we cannot accept that an ally behaves in this way when faced with a ship that is also on a mission for NATO.

This Wednesday afternoon Florence Parly, French Minister for the Armed Forces, therefore awaits a firm reaction from the Atlantic alliance. The NATO meeting will be energetic, warns the Ministry of the Armed Forces.

Newsletter Receive all international news directly in your mailbox

I subscribe

Follow all international news by downloading the RFI application

google-play-badge_FR

  • France
  • Turkey
  • Libya
  • Nato
  • Defense

On the same subject

On the ground, Libya divided into two zones of Turkish and Russian influence

Libyan quagmire continues in Sirte, despite initiatives and demand for truce

Interview

"There is a geopolitical duplication in the Libyan theater of what happened in Syria"