Turkish presidency submits motion to parliament on extending troop deployment in Libya

By Sinan Uslu

ANKARA (AA) - Türkiye’s presidency on Monday submitted a motion to parliament on extending troop deployment in Libya for another 18 months.

The motion was submitted in light of a request for military assistance by Libya's UN-recognized government.

"The risks and threats emanating from Libya for the entire region, including Türkiye, continue. If the attacks against the legitimate government resume, Türkiye's interests both in the Mediterranean basin and in North Africa will be adversely affected," the motion said.

"It is important to prevent the resumption of conflicts to ensure the conclusion of the military and political talks conducted under the auspices of the UN," it added.

Türkiye’s parliament first passed a motion allowing the deployment of troops in Libya for one year in January 2020. Later, it extended the deployment for another 18 months until July 2022.

On Nov. 27, 2019, Ankara and Tripoli signed a pact on military cooperation, as well as an agreement on maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Libya, an oil-rich country, has remained beset by turmoil since 2011, when longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi was ousted and killed in a NATO-backed uprising after four decades in power.

The country has since seen the emergence of two rival seats of power: one in eastern Libya, to which military commander Khalifa Haftar is affiliated, and the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord (GNA), which enjoys UN recognition.