AU Commission Chief Slams Turkey's Interference Threats in Libya

African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat expressed on Saturday his concern over Turkey's announcement to send troops in Libya.

Faki announced in a statement that he was deeply concerned at the deterioration of the situation in Libya and the continuing suffering of the Libyan people."

He added that the various threats of political and military interference in the internal affairs of Libya increase the risk of a confrontation, whose motives have nothing to do with the fundamental interests of the Libyan people and their aspirations for freedom, peace, democracy, and development.

Mahamat also urged the international community to join forces with Africa in a step aimed to reach a peaceful resolution of the ongoing crisis.

It is noteworthy that the Turkish parliament on Thursday passed a bill approving a military deployment in Libya to shore up the government in Tripoli and its armed militias.

“Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump told Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in a phone call on Thursday that outsiders were complicating the situation in Libya,” the White House said.

It was not clear which countries or entities Trump was referring to, and a White House statement offered no other details.

Although the Turkish deployment is not imminent, Erdogan has said troops would support Serraj’s GNA.

Trump and Erdogan “stressed the importance of diplomacy in resolving regional issues,” the Turkish presidency said in a statement about the call, adding that they also discussed Syria.

“At least eight people were killed on Wednesday when the Syrian army launched missiles that struck a shelter for displaced families in Idlib province,” witnesses and residents said.

“The leaders agreed on the need for de-escalation in Idlib, Syria, in order to protect civilians,” the White House said in its statement.