On Monday, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Libyan Government of National Unity (GNU), Najla Al-Mangoush announced that Libya will donate $50 million dollars to Turkey, for the reconstruction of the earthquake-affected states.
This came during the meeting with the Turkish Foreign Minister, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu after arriving in the Turkish capital, Ankara.
Al-Mangoush expressed her condolences to the Turkish people and government for the victims of the devastating earthquake that affected several provinces in southern Turkey and northern Syria.
The FM confirmed the solidarity and support of the Libyan government and people for the peoples of Turkey and Syria to overcome this ordeal. Al-Mangoush stated that “Turkey has helped Libya in many situations, and it is time for us to help each other in difficult times,” stressing the full support for the Turkish government, “morally and financially.”
She expressed Libya’s pride in the technical team that came to Turkey to assist in the rescue operations. She noted that there are other teams that will arrive, successively, from Libya on two planes to assist in the rescue efforts.
Notably, Çavuşoğlu thanked Libya for its support for Turkey after the devastating earthquake, which left tens of thousands dead and injured.
“We have received great support from Libya, and we thank all the supportive efforts of brotherly countries in this disaster,” Çavuşoğlu said.
He added that Libya had sent rescue and medical teams, and set up a field hospital. “Our Embassy and Consulate in Tripoli have received great support from the Libyan people.”
The minister noted that 91 countries have pledged to provide thousands of tents for the affected areas.
On Saturday, Libya’s Ambassador to Turkey, Mustafa Elgelaib, confirmed that 21 Libyans who were stuck in earthquake-hit areas in southern Turkey were successfully evacuated. The Ambassador added that 15 people were transferred to Istanbul, and some were repatriated to Libya.
In press statements, Elgelaib stated that the nationals included four students who were also evacuated from the region. He noted that three of them will arrive tomorrow morning in Ankara, while the fourth student asked to leave for Libya.
The Ambassador stated that there were no injuries among the Libyan community in Turkey. He denied rumours circulated on social media that a Libyan family residing in Turkey was injured due to the earthquake. Elgelaib pointed out that a Libyan family has been rescued after being caught up in the earthquake in Turkish Hatay, noting that their son had left the hospital after receiving treatment. He added that they are working to support the family and other nationals who have been directly affected by the earthquakes in Turkey.
He stated that there is no large Libyan community living in the earthquake-hit areas, but rather a few students and businessmen, who have been evacuated successfully.
