Foreign relations of Libya

The leaders of Turkey and Russia held a telephone conversation on Jan. 11 to discuss regional issues, including Libya, according to diplomatic sources.

Turkey mainly cares for the immediate end of clashes and the announcement of a cease-fire in Libya, presidential spokesperson İbrahim Kalın has said, calling on the parties in the country to return the positions they were in last year in April.

Egypt strongly condemned on Thursday a vote by Turkey's parliament vote to allow a troop deployment to Libya, the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Egypt said any such deployment could "negatively affect the stability of the Mediterranean region" and called on the international community to urgently respond to the move. [Reuters]

The Arab League remains silent, unable to demonstrate determination in support of the legitimate government in Libya, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said on Dec. 31.

Turkey has long supported a political settlement in Libya and an end to attacks and the establishment of a complete ceasefire among the warring sides, spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement.

Turkey's defense minister expressed his hopes to resolve an ongoing disagreement with Russia on Libya through dialogue, days before the Turkish Parliament is to vote for the deployment of Turkish troops to the war-torn country.

Russia considers a ceasefire in Libya a basic condition for the start of a political dialogue, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Dec. 31.

Speaking at a news conference in Moscow, Lavrov said no conditions must precede the cessation of hostilities.

A deal between Turkey and Libya guarantees that its maritime freedom of movement is not "undermined", country's communications director said on Dec. 27.

"Our maritime agreement with Libya ensures that Turkey's freedom of movement in the high seas is not undermined," Fahrettin Altun said, adding that the agreement also ensures a strong relationship with the Libyan government.

The Turkish parliament on Dec. 21 ratified a motion on the approval of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on security and military cooperation with Libya.

On Nov. 27, Ankara and Tripoli signed two separate MoUs; one on military cooperation and the other on maritime boundaries of countries in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Turkey will improve its cooperation with Libya and is ready to provide military support for the Tripoli-based government or back joint steps in the eastern Mediterranean, broadcaster NTV cited President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as saying on Wednesday.

Libyan interior minister and Turkish ambassador on Sept. 25 discussed the possibility of the return of Turkish companies to work in Libya again.