Motion extending troop deployment in Libya passes Turkish parliament with votes of AKP, MHP deputies

Duvar English / Anadolu Agency 

The Turkish parliament on Dec. 22 approved a motion authorizing the extension of its troop deployment in Libya for another 18 months.

While the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) backed the motion, the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and İYİ (Good) Party voted against it. As the AKP-MHP alliance holds a parliamentary majority, the motion passed the parliament.

"There are threats from Libya to Turkey and the entire region, and if attacks resume again, Turkey's interests in the Mediterranean basin and North Africa will be adversely affected," the motion said.

"Turkey, within the Memorandum of Security and Military Cooperation signed with Libya, will continue to contribute to the training and consultancy support to Libya," it said.

The proposal was submitted by the presidency last week, in the light of a request by Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) for military assistance.

In November 2019, Ankara and Tripoli signed a pact on military cooperation, as well as an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey sent its troops to the North African country on a year-long mandate in January.

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