Turkey Says Ready to Send Troops to Back Libya Unity Govt.

W460

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Tuesday he was ready to send troops to Libya if requested by the internationally recognized government in Tripoli. 

"On the issue of sending soldiers... If Libya makes such a request from us, we can send our personnel there, especially after striking the military security agreement," he said in a televised appearance. 

Turkey signed a military agreement last month with Libya's Government of National Accord, led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj. 

It came after media reports that Russia had sent 200 mercenaries to support Libya's military strongman Khalifa Haftar, who is seeking to unseat the Tripoli-based government. 

Russia has denied the reports, but Erdogan said: "There is a security company from Russia (in Libya) called Wagner. This company sent its security staff there."

The Wagner Group is a shadowy private security firm and thousands of its security contractors are believed to be in foreign conflicts from Syria to Ukraine to the Central African Republic. 

At the same time as the military deal, Turkey also signed a controversial maritime jurisdiction agreement with Sarraj, giving sweeping rights for Turkey to explore for oil in the Mediterranean. 

"With the new line drawn (by the maritime agreement), we will take steps to protect the interests of Libya, Turkey and the TRNC (Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus). This is in line with international law," he said.  

The deal has been staunchly opposed by Greece, Cyprus and their European partners which says it violates the islands' maritime rights.

Comments 1
Thumb chrisrushlau 11 December 2019, 20:22

The Gulf monarchies' one weakness is reliance on foreign military forces. I wonder if they even have indigenous pilots for their F-35's and what-not. They certainly don't have any infantry, excepting The Emir's Own First Libyan Volunteer Grad Rocket Brigade, Second Battalion, Company A, First Platoon, Headquarters Section, motto, "Just Tweet and fire!"