Macron: Turkey Sends Mercenaries to Libya, Turkey: Unrealistic Claims

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Addressing reporters after his meeting with Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis yesterday (January 29), President of France Emmanuel Macron accused Turkey of sending warships and mercenaries to Libya, thereby breaching the agreement to halt foreign interference in the country.

"These past few days, we have seen Turkish warships accompanied by Syrian mercenaries arrive on Libyan soil. This is a serious and explicit infringement of what was agreed upon in Berlin", Macron indicated.

He also dismissed the maritime deal agreed by Turkey and Libya's UN-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in late 2019 as a "void document" with no legal or political standing.

"France supports Greece and Cyprus with regards to the sovereignty in their maritime zones and, along with our European partners, condemns Turkey's intrusions and provocations," Macron said.

"I must reiterate that the prerequisite for any political solution in Libya is the cancellation of this document," he added.

'France is unconditionally supporting Haftar'

Shortly after President Macron made the above remarks about Turkey, Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Hami Aksoy has denounced them as "unrealistic claims."

Referring to France as "the main responsible party for the problems that have arisen since the crisis broke out in Libya in 2011", he has said:

"It is not a secret that this country is unconditionally supporting Haftar to have a say on natural resources in Libya.

"Receiving military support from countries such as France, Haftar keeps attacking the legitimate government, which poses the most serious risk to the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Libya.

"It is known very well that the President of France also hosted the terrorists threatening the territorial integrity of Syria at the Palace for many times.

'France should play a positive role in Libya'

"The main decision that was taken at the Berlin Conference and would initiate a political process was to achieve ceasefire as soon as possible.

"If France wants to contribute to the implementation of decisions taken at the Conference, it should first stop supporting Haftar.

"What is expected from France, which is well known for its sordid past in Africa and the sorrows of whose massacre in Algeria are still fresh in memories, is to play a positive role in establishing stability and security in Libya, rather than blaming Turkey." (EKN/SD)