Briefed by Minister Çavuşoğlu, CHP Says ‘Turkey Should Prioritize Diplomacy in Libya’

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu visited main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Chair Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu today (December 30) and briefed the party about the upcoming Parliamentary session on a possible military deployment in Libya.

Çavuşoğlu has informed Kılıçdaroğlu about the motion to be submitted to the General Assembly of the Parliament when it opens after the recess. The closed-door meeting lasted for 50 minutes, according to party officials.

Çavuşoğlu: The decision is up to the CHP

As reported by the state-run Anadolu Agency (AA), Minister Çavuşoğlu addressed the reporters after his meeting with Kılıçdaroğlu.

"Of course, the decision on the motion is up to the CHP", said Çavuşoğlu and added, "We have told them why we need a resolution, including the threats we face, in terms of our country and its national interests."

Çeviköz: We don't accept it

CHP Vice Chair Ünal Çeviköz held a statement for the press at the party headquarters in Ankara after the Çavuşoğlu-Kılıçdaroğlu meeting came to an end. Addressing the reporters, he stated the following in brief:

"In the current situation, we do not want the bad picture that unfolded in Syria to repeat itself in another country. We do not want the problems that we face in Syria to come to the agenda of Turkey again, this time due to Libya.

"We see that a military deployment in Syria will lead Turkey to be a party to a proxy war that will become less and less regional and evolve into an international war. I would like to emphasize once again that we regard it as the most dangerous development.

"We think that instead of becoming a party to this proxy war by sending soldiers to Libya, Turkey should prioritize diplomacy by considering its history of responsibilities and accumulation.

'Special forces'

"We do not yet have any information as to the nature, quality or language of the motion. When he responded to a question he was asked, he also said that 'the text of the motion has been sent to the Presidency.' It will be referred from the Presidency to the Parliament.

"The memorandum of understanding allows for Turkey's deployment of certain supporting elements without the need for a motion. Therefore, we think that this motion will have a little different elements. There are various news in the media speculating about the deployment of special forces or some other elements. We get these news with concern." (DB/SD)