US says concerned as Libyan conflict turning bloodier with Russian mercenaries
10:11, 22/12/2019, SundayU: Update: 10:12, 22/12/2019, Sunday
REUTERS
FILE PHOTO: A member of Libya's internationally recognised government forces carries a weapon in Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya October 14, 2019. REUTERS/Ismail Zitouny/File Photo
TURKEY AGREEMENT WITH LIBYA 'PROVOCATIVE'
Turkey has backed Libya's internationally recognized government led by Fayez al-Serraj and the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime cooperation in the eastern Mediterranean as well as a security agreement which could deepen military cooperation between them.
In a first reaction from the United States on the agreements between Turkey and Libya, the U.S. official said the maritime MOU was "unhelpful" and "provocative."
"Because it's drawing into the Libyan conflict interests that up until now had not been involved in the situation in Libya,' the official said. "With maritime boundaries, you're drawing in Greece and Cyprus...from the United States' perspective, this is a concern…it's not the time to be provoking more instability in the Mediterranean," the official said.
Ankara has already sent military supplies to Libya in violation of a United Nations arms embargo, according to a report by U.N. experts seen by Reuters last month. Its maritime agreement with Libya enraged Greece and drew ire from the European Union.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey could deploy troops to Libya in support of the GNA but no request has yet been made.
