Libyan envoy bids Turkey farewell

By Tevfik Durul and Enes Kaplan

ANKARA (AA) - A farewell reception was held Tuesday evening in Ankara for Libya’s ambassador to Turkey, Abdurrazaq Mukhtar Ahmed Abdulgader.

Abdulgader, who came to Ankara in 2012, thanked all Turkish people, especially President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Stressing that Turkey and Libya enjoy close relations, especially in the areas of security, the economy and education, he said both sides have a strong will to further the relations.

The reception was attended by Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, the heads of several diplomatic missions in Ankara and many guests.

Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates and another in Tripoli, which enjoys UN and international recognition.

*Writing by Gozde Bayar