Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan underlined on Friday his country’s support to the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), saying Ankara has not committed anything illegal in the north African country.
Ankara will remain in Libya until stability is restored, he vowed, amid reports that Turkey was sending African mercenaries to the country.
On Thursday, French President Emmanuel Macron accused Erdogan of failing "to keep his word" to end meddling in Libya.
Specifically, Macron said Turkish ships had in recent days been seen taking ships laden with pro-Ankara Syrian mercenaries to Libya.
Erdogan meanwhile, continued to criticize Libyan National Army (LNA) commander Khalifa Haftar, saying he was obtaining funds from abroad and continuing his offensive against Tripoli, where the GNA is based.
Some countries are still supporting him with weapons, equipment, funds and mercenaries, he claimed before members of his Justice and Development party.
Turkey will not spare an effort in supporting the GNA, vowed Erdogan.
Turkey will not allow the insurgents – meaning the LNA supporters – “to do what they want in Libya”, he declared.
“Standing by Haftar the usurper instead of the legitimate government and Libyan people is a betrayal of democracy,” he claimed.
