Western Libya offensive

Turkey will send troops to Libya at the request of Tripoli as soon as next month, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Thursday, putting the north African country's conflict at the center of wider regional frictions.

Turkey believes that Tunisia will contribute to efforts to promote stability in its eastern neighbor Libya, Turkey's president said on
Dec. 25.

Any plan excluding Turkey in the Eastern Mediterranean is impossible, and Turkey will not shrink from steps needed to stand with the Libyan government and its people, said Turkey's presidential spokesman on Dec. 24. 

Turkey has openly conveyed to Greece that it has always stood ready to discuss maritime delimitation issues in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey's foreign minister told an interview to a Greek daily.

Turkey has always supported a policy that seeks dialogue in addressing the problems in the region, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu told Greek newspaper To Vima.

The east Libya-based military commander Khalifa Haftar was accused in a multimillion-dollar civil lawsuit of war crimes by Libyan family members who say their loved ones were killed when forces controlled by Haftar conducted bombings in civilian neighborhoods.

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Friday that Turkey will not stay silent over Russian-backed mercenaries supporting Khalifa Haftar in Libya, as Moscow voiced concerns over possible Turkish military deployment to Libya in support of Haftar's enemies.

Turkey cannot stay silent against "mercenaries" like the Russian-backed Wagner that work for Tobruk-based General Khalifa Haftar forces in Libya, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said.

Libya's internationally recognized government said on Dec. 19 that it has ratified a security and military cooperation deal it agreed with Turkey last month, opening the way for potential military help from Ankara.

The Government of National Accord (GNA) said in a statement that the memorandum of understanding has been ratified but did not give further details.

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.

Libya's Ambassador to Ankara has voiced confidence regarding military support from Turkey, saying President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will "give a helping hand."