On Thursday, the US State Department said that armed militias in Libya were hindering the country’s political process.
In a statement, it stressed its rejection of all foreign interference in Libya and demanded an immediate end of the destabilizing role of militias in the country.
Earlier on Thursday, sources claimed that Turkey transferred weapons and heavy equipment to Libya over the past two days in preparation for an attack on the city of Sirte.
Turkey is thought to be pushing its political and economic agenda in Libya, after helping the Government of National Accord (GNA) repel an advance by the Libyan National Army (LNA), led by Field Marshal Khalifa Haftar.
The LNA is backed by Russia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
A European-Arab coalition, led by France, to counter Ankara’s ambitions in Libya has begun to take shape.
This comes amid recent Turkish actions, such as the tampering of regional and European security by sending thousands of Syrian fighters to Libya.
Among these fighters are believed to be members of Al-Nusra Front and IS, experts say.
France has moved at a feverish pace to thwart Turkish ambitions in the North African nation.
Paris believes Ankara’s strategy clashes with its own interests in Libya and its vision for the whole region.
France was the first European country to criticize Turkey for sending fighters and weapons to Libya.
It also voiced its solidarity with Cyprus and Greece in their rejection of the agreement on maritime border demarcation signed in November 2019 between Turkey and the GNA.