Government of National Accord

Forces fighting for Libya's internationally recognized government said on June 4 they had regained control over Tripoli and a military source with the eastern forces that have been attacking the capital said they were withdrawing.

Turkey and Libya agreed to further increase cooperation in eastern Mediterranean, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said on June 4.

Recalling a memorandum of understanding for maritime delimitation sealed between Turkey and Libya, Erdoğan said, "We agreed to develop new cooperation."

Forces fighting for Libya's internationally recognized government said on June 4 they had regained control over Tripoli and a military source with the eastern forces that have been attacking the capital said they were withdrawing.

The prime minister of Libya's internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA), Fayyez al-Sarraj, will pay a visit to Ankara on June 4 for talks with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan as Turkey's top security board has reiterated that Turkey's support to the Tripoli government will continue in its fight against General Khalifa Haftar forces.

Turkey is "determined" to use its sovereign rights in the eastern Mediterranean, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said on June 2 after the Greek foreign minister said a Turkish attempt to start drilling for hydrocarbons in the eastern Mediterranean was "a new provocation."

The publication in the Turkish government's gazette of a map outlining areas of the Greek continental shelf where Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) has applied for exploration permits has drawn an angry response from Athens, which warned it is fully prepared to respond in the event that Ankara chooses to conduct exploratory activities in these areas.

Greece's Foreign Ministry on Monday summoned the Turkish ambassador to deliver a demarche over the publication in the Turkish government's gazette of Turkish Petroleum's (TPAO) applications for an exploration permit in areas of the Greek continental shelf, diplomatic sources said.

Greece said on Monday the publication in the Turkish government's gazette of Turkish Petroleum's (TPAO) applications for an exploration permit in the eastern Mediterranean were another step in Ankara's efforts to "usurp Greece's sovereign rights."

Turkey will not allow any uncertainty in Libya, said Vice President Fuat Oktay on May 29, and voiced full support for Libya's legitimate government.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of Atlantic Council and Turkish Heritage Organization, Oktay stressed that illegal forces loyal to renegade commander Khalifa Haftar should recognize Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj's government.

Turkey may begin oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean within three or four months under a deal it signed with Libya that was condemned by others in the region including Greece, Energy Minister Fatih Donmez said on Friday.