FM Çavuşoğlu says Turkish intel foils plots against country

Turkish intelligence has changed the regional dynamics in politics by foiling plots against the country, Turkey's foreign minister said on Jan. 29, responding to an Israeli daily's targeting of Turkish spy chief Hakan Fidan.

"It is the first time that Turkish intelligence has implemented such policies, either foiling or exposing their plots," Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told reporters in the capital Ankara.

An article by Pazit Rabin at Israeli daily Makor Rishon, known for its favorable coverage of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, drew alleged parallels between Fidan and Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general who was killed in a U.S. drone strike in Iraq earlier this month.

"Turkey is now spoiling the games in the field and in Libya," Çavuşoğlu added, underlining that Israel was working behind the scenes in Libya.

Turkey has gained ground in Libya, Iraq and Syria, he said, reiterating Turkey's resolute and strong stance.

Since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, two seats of power have emerged in Libya: one in eastern Libya supported mainly by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, and the other in Tripoli, which enjoys the UN and international recognition.

Libya's legitimate government has been under attack by Haftar's forces since last April, claiming the lives of more than 1,000 people.

On Jan. 12, the conflicting parties announced a ceasefire in response to a joint call by Turkey and Russia's leaders. But talks for a permanent ceasefire deal ended without an agreement after Haftar left Moscow on Jan. 14 without signing the deal.

On Jan. 19, Haftar accepted at the Berlin conference on Libya to designate members to a UN-proposed military commission with five members from each side to monitor...