This morning, Russia underscored the credibility of international reports that talk about Turkey sending mercenaries in Libya to fight alongside the ranks of militias supporting Fayez Al-Sarraj, head of Al-Wefaq government based in the capital, Tripoli.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov said that Moscow confirms the reports of the Security Council team of experts on the transfer of militants to Libya with the help of Turkey.
Bogdanov said in his speech at the Russian Social Chamber that "the text of the draft resolution (the United Nations on Libya) did not mention terrorists and foreign fighters, although a group of UN Security Council experts regularly report on the transfer of terrorists to Libya.
"We also note this, and this happens with the help of Turkey," he added.
Earlier, the Turkish President, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, stated that his country is fighting the forces of the "Libyan National Army," noting that a number of deaths were taking place on the Turkish side there.
He publicly acknowledged that "the personnel of the Syrian factions present in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, alongside the Turkish forces, see their presence there as an honor."
"Those coming from Syria from the Syrian National Army have a common goal. They are there within the framework of these shared goals. Our brothers who are with us in Syria see their presence there with us as an honor," he said, speaking on behalf of those mercenaries.
He also acknowledged the fall of two Turkish soldiers in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, without giving further details.
Turkey is violating the UN Security Council resolution banning arms to Libya, as well as the pledges of world powers during a summit in Berlin last month, on the need to stop hostilities and arms embargoes.
Meanwhile, the Libyan National Army spokesman, Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, accused "terrorist gangs of intimidating civilians in the outskirts of the capital Tripoli, and targeting them with heavy weapons.
Al-Mesmari said: "The terrorist gangs led by Turks terrorized civilians in the frontiers of Tripoli with heavy weapons from several locations. Inside the capital, where it targeted civilian homes in the Qasr bin Ghashir and Ain Zara areas."
The Libyan National Army announced that it had shot down a Turkish Marchir plane, south of the Libyan capital. A few days ago, the Libyan National Army announced that it had killed 16 Turkish soldiers in the past weeks.
On the other hand, Abdel Hadi Al-Huwaij, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Eastern Libya government said today that his government cannot force tribesmen in the east of the country to lift the siege of the oil fields, which he described as a popular decision.
Al-Hawij told reporters in Geneva that force could not be used to lift the blockade and said that the Tripoli government used oil revenues to pay wages for mercenaries. He also confirmed that his government would not participate in the political talks scheduled today in Geneva, and he said that it had not been agreed with the United Nations Mission to form the delegation.
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