Erdoğan: Turkish Military Forces Moving into Libya

Turkish military forces have started moving into Libya to support the Tripoli-based, internationally-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), headed by Fayez al-Serraj, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in an interview broadcast jointly on the CNN Türk and Kanal D channels on Sunday. Erdoğan said the soldiers would play a “coordinating” role and help “ensure a ceasefire” in Libya. The Turkish parliament passed legislation authorizing the troop deployment to strengthen Libya’s embattled government on Thursday. This followed a separate deal made in December to send Turkish military experts and weapons to Libya. The GNA requested Turkish support for its battle against the forces of Gen. Khalifa Haftar, who controls the eastern portion of the country and who has the support of Egypt, France, Jordan, Russia, and the United Arab Emirates. On Saturday, at least 30 people were killed and 33 others wounded in an attack on a Tripoli military academy.