At least 32 people lost their lives and 159 people were injured in the clashes between the forces supporting Fethi Başağa, who was elected prime minister in the Tobruk-based House of Representatives, who wanted to enter Tripoli, and the forces supporting the National Unity Government (UBH) led by Abdulhamid Dibeybe, who wanted to prevent them.
CALL FROM FOREIGN
In the statement made by the Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the subject, it was stated that the clashes were followed with “great concern” and said, “The preservation of the calm that has been established with great efforts in the field is of critical importance for the future of Libya.”
In the statement, which also asked to silence the guns, the statement said, “Turkey considers it essential for Libya’s lasting stability, prosperity and security to hold fair, free and nationwide elections as soon as possible, within the framework of the wishes and expectations of the Libyan people.”
Since 2019, when Turkey sent troops upon the call for support of the then-ruling Government of National Reconciliation and Haftar’s forces were prevented from seizing Tripoli, there had been no armed conflict on the ground in Libya to a large extent.
CHANGING ATTITUDE
While Turkey gave all its support to the Tripoli government in 2019, when it sent troops to Libya, it currently follows a balanced policy between the parties, with the changing political picture in the country. Unlike the situation in 2019, Haftar’s forces did not participate in the clashes, while Turkey, which has close relations with both Dibeybe and Başağa, calls for reconciliation to the parties immediately. The parties to the tension in Libya, Speaker of the House of Representatives Akile Salih and Chairman of the Libyan State Supreme Council Halid Meşri visited Ankara repeatedly this month. While both names were accepted by President Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey called for “reconciliation” to the parties in these talks.