Gov't sends Libya motion to parliament

The Turkish government is sending to parliament on Dec. 30 a motion authorizing the deployment of troops to Libya, according to  Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu.

Çavuşoğlu, after meeting with Turkish opposition leaders to seek support for the legislation, told reporters the motion would be submitted to parliament later on Dec. 30.

"As the Foreign Ministry, we presented the mandate to the Presidency for it to be sent to the parliament. And as of today, we have learned from the President's office that the mandate will be sent to parliament with the signature of the Honourable President within the day," Çavuşoğlu said.

Last week Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the motion would be submitted to parliament in light of a request by Libya's U.N.-recognized government for military assistance.

2 parties deciding on motion

Speaking to reporters afterward, Çavuşoğlu said: "Of course the decision on the motion is up to the Republican People's Party (CHP).

"We told them why we need a resolution, including the threats we face, in terms of our country and its national interests."

Çavuşoğlu on Dec. 30 met opposition party leaders to brief them on a draft parliamentary motion for possible military deployment in Libya.

Çavuşoğlu met the CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu first for the motion to be discussed in the parliament when it opens after recess.

"Of course, the decision on the motion is up to CHP. We have told them why we need a resolution, including the threats we face, in terms of our country and the national interests of our country," the minister told reporters after the meeting.

He will not be visiting the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), as it had...