Turkish President Erdogan Hopes for Measures to Solidify Libya Ceasefire

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan stated, "I hope measures will be taken to firmly uphold the fragile ceasefire in Libya."

President Erdogan made these remarks at a press conference held at Istanbul Atat?rk Airport before departing on the 19th (local time) to attend a meeting in Berlin, Germany, to discuss the Libya situation. He said, "The Berlin talks are an important process to consolidate the ceasefire and a political solution."

He added, "The process for peaceful settlement and ceasefire after January must not be sacrificed to the ambitions of those who desire bloodshed and chaos."

Libya has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, divided between the Government of National Accord (GNA), which controls the west, and the Libyan National Army (LNA), a militia force controlling the east, following the collapse of Muammar Gaddafi's regime in 2011 due to the 'Arab Spring' uprisings.

Turkey actively supports the GNA, the UN-recognized legitimate government, by dispatching troops, while the LNA receives backing from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Russia, and others.

Initially, the GNA and LNA discussed a ceasefire in Moscow on the 13th under the mediation of Russia and Turkey, but the ceasefire negotiations collapsed after the LNA refused to sign the ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, representatives from about ten countries, including the United States, Russia, Turkey, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and China, are scheduled to gather in Berlin, Germany, on the same day to seek a solution to the Libyan civil war.