Military of Libya

Turkey's parliament approved a security and military deal with Libya's UN-supported government Saturday  on the heels of a controversial maritime agreement earlier this month that has drawn international ire.

The deal allows Turkey to provide military training and equipment at the request of the Libyan government that controls the capital, Tripoli, and some of the country's west.

Libya's internationally recognized government said on Thursday it has ratified a security and military cooperation deal it agreed with Turkey last month, opening the way for potential military help from Ankara as it fights a months-long offensive by rival forces.

More than 100 migrants are missing after a boat sinking west of the Libyan coast, AFP reports, citing a Libyan navy spokesman.

Rescuers have saved at least seven survivors from the waters, the spokesman said. 

There are no further details about the incident 

On Jan. 11, 2017, Intelligence Online — a professional journal covering the world’s intelligence services — revealed that the pilots of Air Tractor attack planes flying from Al Khadim air base in Libya are private contractors working for Erik Prince, the founder of the company formerly known as Blackwater.

"The EU must build a giant city for refugees on the Libyan coast in order to control the process of granting asylum to people from Africa before they reach Europe," stated Hungarian PM Viktor Orban at a meeting of 10 heads of state in Vienna on Saturday.

Ankara has called on the transitional government in Libya to "review its irresponsible attitude and avoid hostile and baseless statements" against Turkey.

Islamist groups seized the headquarters of the Libyan army's special forces in Libya's second city Benghazi after days of fighting, as a huge blaze raged at a fuel depot near the capital's airport.

An Islamist and jihadist alliance announced the capture July 29 of the main military base in the eastern city in a statement which was confirmed by an army official.