Libyans hold solidarity demonstration with Turkish flag

By Mucahit Aydemir

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) - Libyans in the capital Tripoli on Saturday held a demonstration to condemn a provocation that targeted the Turkish flag.

A mass gathering of people in the Martyrs' Square of the capital, holding Libyan and Turkish flags, condemned warlord Gen. Khalifa Haftar with the slogan "No to war criminal Haftar!"

"Today, we carry the Turkish flag against those who attack the Turkish flag, because Turkey has an honorable stance towards Libya, Palestine, and all countries," one of the Libyan protesters, carrying the Turkish flag, told Anadolu Agency.

On Monday, supporters of Haftar – who waged a multi-year war against the UN-recognized Libyan government – attempted a provocation by laying Turkish flags on the road where Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dibeybe's convoy would pass during his visit to Tobruk.

Describing the incident as a "heinous act," Turkey's Foreign Ministry on Tuesday said the "ugly action" was clearly meant to target the Turkish-Libyan fellowship.

Under a bilateral 2019 security agreement, Turkey provided military aid to help the legitimate Libyan government push back Haftar’s attacks.