Turkey closely following Libyan peace talks in Morocco

By Handan Kazanci

ISTANBUL (AA) – Praising Morocco’s “constructive attitude” toward solving the crisis in Libya, Turkey is closely following Libyan talks hosted by its North African neighbor, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday.

From the beginning, Turkey has pushed for a political process in line with UN Security Council resolutions implemented and embraced by Libyans, said ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

“We are closely following the Libya dialogue meeting held in the city of Bouznika, Morocco,” Aksoy said.

“Morocco hosted the Libya Political Agreement talks signed in 2015 and ratified by UN Security Council Resolution 2259,” the statement added.

“Turkey has supported these talks; [Foreign Minister] Mevlut Cavusoglu personally participated in the signing ceremony of the Agreement,” the statement said.

“We appreciate Morocco's constructive attitude towards a solution to the crisis in Libya,” the statement added.

Libya’s rival sides met in Bouznika on Sunday.

The same day, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and visiting Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj met in Istanbul to discuss developments in Libya, bilateral relations, and regional issues.

Libya’s Government of National Accord, founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement in the wake of the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, has faced a number of challenges, including attacks by warlord Khalifa Haftar.

In recent months, however, it has turned the tide against Haftar's forces.

Turkey supports the internationally recognized government based in the capital Tripoli and a non-military resolution of the crisis.