Turkish, US presidents discuss Libya, region over phone

By Zafer Fatih Beyaz

ANKARA (AA) - The presidents of Turkey and the U.S. spoke over the phone on Wednesday, according to a statement by the Turkish Presidential Communications Directorate.

Turkey's Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke with his U.S. counterpart Donald Trump on the latest developments in Libya and the region.

On Jan. 12, the warring sides in the Libyan conflict announced a cease-fire in response to a call by Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin, gathering Monday in Moscow to sign an agreement aimed at ending hostilities and starting a political dialogue.

Following talks in Moscow, the head of the UN-recognized Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj, signed the cease-fire deal, but eastern Libya-based commander Khalifa Haftar left early on Tuesday, asking for more time.

Aguila Saleh, the speaker of the pro-Haftar House of Representatives in the eastern city of Tobruk, said: "The cease-fire in Libya is over and the war will resume."

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 the other in Tripoli, which enjoys the UN and international recognition.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur