Libya asks Turkey to help evacuate foreign troops

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush has asked her Turkish counterpart to help evacuate foreign troops, as she also praised Turkey's support in fighting against COVID-19 in Libya.

Tuesday May 04 2021 02:01 pm

Duvar English

Libyan Foreign Minister Najla Mangoush on May 3 met with her Turkish counterpart Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu in the capital Tripoli and called on Turkey to cooperate to evacuate foreign forces from Libya.

"Mangoush called on Turkey to cooperate with regard to the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and the outcomes of the Berlin Conference, including the evacuation of foreign forces and mercenaries from the Libyan lands, in support of Libya's sovereignty," said a statement issued by the Libyan government.

The Libyan foreign minister stressed the importance of the distinguished relations between the two countries, and praised Turkey's support in fighting against COVID-19 in Libya, the statement said.

Çavuşoğlu, meanwhile, said that Turkey prioritizes protecting the sovereignty and unity of independent Libya.

“We place importance on preserving Libya’s integrity, sovereignty, independence, and political unity,” he said.

On an official visit to the country, he reiterated that Turkey has always stood by the Libyan people and their governments during difficult times.

“In the face of the attacks on Tripoli, the legitimate government of Libya invited some countries, including us. Only Turkey replied in the affirmative to this call,” Çavuşoğlu said.

He also stated that Turkey’s support for Libya under a November 2019 deal on security and military cooperation "helped prevent a civil war and human tragedy."

The two top diplomats, Çavuşoğlu said, addressed economic cooperation, investments in Libya, and bilateral trade ties, and discussed the Turkish private sector returning to Libya.

Çavuşoğlu also said he was pleased to be in Libya with a large delegation including Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and Hakan Fidan, head of the National Intelligence Organization (MİT).

He said Turkey will continue to stand by "its Libyan brothers" and will step up contacts in the coming days.

Çavuşoğlu also invited his Libyan counterpart to the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to be held in the Turkish resort city in the second week of June.

Later, meeting with Mohamed Al-Menfi, the head of Libya's Presidential Council, Çavuşoğlu stressed Turkey's support for the council, saying that it will continue to stand by its Libyan "sisters and brothers."

"Our Strategic Partnership is developing in every field including defense, security, trade and energy," he said on Twitter.