In Turkey, the Presidency introduced a decision in Parliament this Saturday, 12 December, on extending the mandate for Turkish troops deployed in Libya. It authorizes their presence on Libyan soil for one more 18 months to help the federal government for nationwide unity. The decision can be debated within the subsequent few days. Its adoption is undoubtedly because of the help of these in energy and its ultranationalist allies.
From our correspondent in Istanbul, Anne Andlauer
Earlier this 12 months, Turkey despatched troops to Libya to help the federal government for nationwide unity towards Marshal Khalifa Haftar’s forces. Each deployment of Turkish navy personnel overseas requires a inexperienced gentle from Parliament and the present decision expires on 2 January. President Erdogan subsequently asks deputies to resume this mandate, this time for a 12 months and a half.
The brand new decision underlines that the state of affairs in Libya continues to pose a “threat to Turkey and the entire area”, and that Turkey’s pursuits within the Mediterranean and in North Africa could be “negatively affected” if Khalifa Haftar resumed his place. offensive. Whereas each side reached a everlasting ceasefire in October, the decision delivered to Turkish parliamentarians reaffirms that Ankara “will proceed to strongly help political dialogue efforts with a view to establishing a nationwide compromise”.
The ceasefire settlement signed in Geneva particularly supplies for the departure of international mercenaries inside 90 days. Earlier this month, the UN estimated the variety of international fighters nonetheless in Libya at 20,000. Amongst them have been Syrian mercenaries despatched by Turkey.
► Learn additionally: Libya: the challenges of the Turkish navy initiative
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