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By APD writer Muhammad Dohail
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Sunday that Turkey would enhance military support to Libya’s UN-backed government if necessary, local media reported.
The statement from the president came one day after lawmakers in Ankara endorsed a comprehensive military pact with Tripoli, which allows Turkey to deploy military training personnel and equipment to Libya upon request.
“We will increase the military aspect of our support (to Libya) and evaluate all possibilities from the ground, sea and air,” said Erdogan while addressing an event.
Last month, the Turkish government inked a security and military cooperation deal on maritime boundaries with the Libyan government, a move that was criticized by Greece and other countries.
Following the deal, Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias on Sunday also reached Benghazi, the seat of Haftar-allied administration, for talks about the maritime treaty.
Turkish deal with the Tripoli fueled tensions with Greece, Cyprus and Egypt over drilling for oil and gas in the eastern Mediterranean Sea.
Commenting on such a situation, Erdogan said the pacts comply with the international law withno intention of provoking conflictsand that Turkey will absolutely not backtrack on the deals signed with Libya.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
