Libya’s top diplomat Najla al-Manqoush has called for the departure of foreign forces and mercenaries from the North African country as it heads toward elections later this year.
Al-Manqoush, foreign minister of Libya’s interim government, urged Turkey to implement U.N. Security Council resolutions demanding the repatriation of over 20,000 foreign fighters and mercenaries from Libya.
Her remarks came during a joint news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu who visited the capital of Tripoli with Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and other top military and intelligence officials.
However, the remarks were seen as a rebuke to Turkey, which has deployed troops and Syrian mercenaries to fight along with Tripoli militias since military commander Khalifa Hifter launched an attack on the capital in 2019.
Cavusoglu responded by saying that Turkish forces were in Libya as part of a training agreement reached with a previous Libya administration.
Turkey has been closely involved in Libya. It backed the U.N.-recognized Government of National Accord based in Tripoli against Hifter’s forces. Turkey sent military supplies and fighters to Libya helping to tilt the balance of power in favor of the GNA.
Turkey also signed an agreement with the Tripoli-based government delineating the maritime boundaries between the two countries in the Mediterranean.
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