Turkish lawmakers could vote soon whether to send troops to Libya. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the UN-supported Tripoli government has asked for a military cooperation.
Erdogans’s aid said Libya’s invitation will be accepted as the country will go to places where it has been invited and not where there is no invitation.
The Tripoli government of Libyan Prime Minister Fayej Sarraj invited under a military cooperation agreement that was signed recently between the two countries. The two governments have also signed a maritime deal, but both the agreements were met with criticism.
Since April this year the Sarraj administration has faced an offensive by rival government based in eastern Libya. Commander Gen. Khalifa Hifter attempted to take over Tripoli with his loyal forces.
Erdogan said his government will be supporting the Sarraj administration against the coup-plotting general and to be siding with the legal government in the country.
The president added such bill could be taken up on January 8 or 9. Currently the parliament is at a recess.
The bill could be passed without any obstacle as Erdogan’s ruling party holds a majority in the house.
Libya is divided into Sarraj’s government in Tripoli and another administration in the eastern part of the country. Both are however supported by an array of militias as well as foreign governments.
In recent weeks fighting escalated around Tripoli, following the general declared a decisive battle with the support of UAE, Egypt, France and Russia.
Sarraj’s government is receiving support from Turkey, Qatar and Italy.
