UPDATE - ‘Turkey-Libya memorandum in line with int'l law'

UPDATE WITH MORE REMARKS

By Zehra Nur Duz

ANKARA (AA) - A memorandum of understanding signed by Turkey and Libya’s UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) is in line with international law, Turkey’s ruling party spokesman said on Monday.

“The memorandum between Turkey and Libya on maritime jurisdiction in eastern Mediterranean complies with international law,” Omer Celik, spokesman for the Justice and Development (AK) party, said in a news conference following his party's group meeting in the capital Ankara.

On Wednesday, the Turkish Communications Directorate announced that Turkey and Libya have signed two memoranda of understanding.

"The Security and Military Cooperation" and "Restriction of Marine Jurisdictions" agreements were signed when Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a closed-door meeting that lasted 2 hours and 15 minutes with Fayez al-Sarraj, chairman of Presidential Council of Libya, at the Dolmabahce Palace in Istanbul.

The directorate said the agreement is an effort to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement determined a portion of Turkey’s maritime jurisdictions in the region.

In a statement on Sunday, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said: “Through this agreement with Libya, the two countries have clearly manifested their intention not to allow any fait accomplis.”

It is in accordance with the court decisions that create the international jurisprudence and international law including the relevant articles of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the ministry said.

- Response to French president

"It's obvious why Turkey is in Syria, it's fighting terrorism, securing its own borders as well as those of its NATO allies and Europe," Celik said, slamming French President Emmanuel Macron over recent remarks that Turkey should not expect NATO's support for its anti-terror operation in northern Syria.

"The question that should be posed to Macron is what business you [France] have in Mali or in various parts of Africa, what is the purpose of your operations in many places without the UN resolution?" Celik added.

Turkey on Oct. 9 launched Operation Peace Spring to eliminate YPG/PKK terrorists from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River in order to secure Turkey’s borders, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria’s territorial integrity.

Under two separate deals with the U.S. and Russia, Turkey paused the operation to allow the withdrawal of YPG/PKK terrorists from the planned Syria safe zone.

But the terrorists have failed to withdraw from some areas and continue to attack both soldiers and civilians.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S. and the European Union -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.