On Thursday, the Prime Minster of Libya’s Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayez Al-Sarraj, expressed his gratitude to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for standing by the GNA in its battle against the Libyan National Army (LNA).
After meeting with the Turkish President, Al-Sarraj added that his visit to Turkey aims to develop stronger cooperation between the two countries. He stressed that the war will continue until the whole of Libya is under state control.
He added, “We will always stay loyal to the blood of our victims and the sacrifices of our heroes, hence our decision not to sit at the table with the LNA commander Haftar”.
Erdogan claimed that Turkey has supported Libya the most during the global COVID-19 pandemic, thanks to multiple medical aid deliveries to the country. “Turkey and Libya agreed on improving bilateral ties in multiple areas, including in the eastern Mediterranean,” he added.
Erdogan also said Turkey would advance its cooperation with Libya including searching for hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean. This is part of a bilateral maritime deal reached between the two governments.
Turkey began providing overt military support to the GNA in November, after signing a military cooperation pact alongside a maritime demarcation deal that gives Ankara exploration rights in the Mediterranean. This deal has been rejected by Greece and a number of other countries.