UN Warns Against Sending Military Forces to Libya

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres, has warned against sending military forces to Libya, saying that any foreign support for the warring parties in Libya will only deepen the conflict in this country.

"Any foreign support for the warring parties will only deepen the ongoing conflict and will further complicate efforts to reach a peaceful and comprehensive political solution," Guterres said.

Earlier this month, Turkey’s parliament has approved, sending Turkish troops to Libya to help the Al-wefaq government in Tripoli in its battle with the Libyan National Army which seeks to liberate the capital from militias presence.

Last month, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced that his country intends to send troops to Libya early this month.

This comes within the framework of Turkish support for the government of Fayez al-Sarraj, which sponsors terrorist militias in Tripoli and fights against the Libyan army led by Field Marshal Khalifa Hifter, who is launching a military operation to eliminate terrorist militias in the capital.

A government official in Tripoli confirmed that Al-Sarraj had sent an official request for Turkish military support.

The move comes despite concerns that Turkish forces could worsen Libya’s conflict further and plunge the country into violent chaos rivaling the 2011 conflict that ousted and killed longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi.