Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

In Pics: Hundreds Protest Against Erdogan in Berlin


Sun 19 Jan 2020 | 04:47 PM
Nawal Sayed

While World Leaders were convening in Berlin to discuss Libya, hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the headquarters of the Federal Chancellery; chanting against Turkish interference in Libya and calling Turkish president "Hitler".

Twelve countries' leaders gathered on Sunday in Berlin to tackle the peace process of the Libyan crisis.

The Libyan community in Germany and Kurdish activists protested against the presence of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Berlin.

Protesters held a range of Libyan and Kurdish flags, including those of the People's Protection Units (YPG), as well as banners featuring slogans such as "Women defend Rojava."

In the meantime, the Anti Fascist Front called on people to protest Erdogan's presence as well.

Germany has been carrying out preparations for months at the request of UN envoy Ghassan Salame, but had been reluctant to choose a specific date for the conference until it was somehow satisfied that it could actually hold a conference that has any chance of producing some positive results.

Erdogan is among the names invited by Chancellor Angela Merkel to Berlin for the conference. It was an invitation that caused reactions.

The Anti Fascist Front, which includes many German left groups, want to make sure Erdogan is met with protests in Berlin.

Hundreds Protest Against Erdogan in Berlin

Drawing attention to the strategic importance of Libya, the Anti Fascist Front reported that Germany is hosting such a conference because of its interests in the region, especially because of the fear of a new wave of migration.

In the statement emphasizing that it was unacceptable to invite a dictator like Erdogan, activists said that "Erdogan is on the footstep of Hitler".

Egypt, the UAE, Algeria, Italy, Congo, Turkey and the five permanent members of the Security Council (US, UK, France, China and Russia) took part in the conference hosted by Germany. Commander of the Libyan National Army Khalifa Haftar and Head of the Government of the National Accord (GNA) Fayez al-Sarraj attended too.