Turkish senior officials pay surprise visit to Libya

Ankara, May 3 (Prensa Latina) Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and senior Turkish defense and security officials on Monday paid a surprise visit to Tripoli, the Libyan capital, to strengthen collaboration with the transitional government, which is preparing for the December legislative election.

May 3, 2021
15:59

Besides Cavusoglu, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar and National Intelligence Organization Director Hakan Fidan also traveled there, according to a Foreign Ministry statement.

Bilateral and regional issues will be discussed during their stay, the source added without providing further details.

Akar said on Twitter that he was also accompanied by Chief of General Staff Yasar Guler.

The Turkish authorities held meetings with members of the National Unity Government, responsible for the transition in the country until the legislative election slated for December.

Press sources in Ankara reported that issues such as the presence of Turkish troops on Libyan territory, the formation of the new government and the provision of weapons are on the table.

Libya has been living in chaos since 2011 when North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces invaded the country to overthrow the government of Muammar al-Gaddafi.

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