Turkey condemns Libya, Somalia bombings
ANKARA - Anadolu Agency
Rescuers carry a survivor from the scene of a blast at the Central Hotel after a suicide attack in Somalia's capital Mogadishu February 20, 2015. REUTERS/Feisal Omar
Turkey has condemned a series of deadly bombings in eastern Libya and the Somalian capital Mogadishu.A statement issued by the Turkish Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the bombings in Libya's eastern Al-Qubbah city that left 47 people dead and dozens injured on Feb. 20, offered condolences to the victims' families and wished a fast recovery for the injured.
"A national agreement should immediately come into force so that Libya does not turn into a new terrorist nest," read the statement, saying Turkey is concerned about the rise in terror acts and will monitor further developments.
It also said that establishing a national unity government and maintaining state authority across the country are becoming more important by the day.
Turkey called on all parties in Libya to join the UN-observed political dialogue process and to take necessary steps to swiftly and resolutely maintain stability and security in the country.
Earlier Feb. 20, a group affiliated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) claimed responsibility for a number of suicide bombings that targeted an operations room belonging to Libyan army commander Khalifa Haftar in the eastern city of Al-Qubbah.
In a separate statement, Ankara condemned the Feb. 20 hotel bombing in Somalia, where at least 10 people were killed, including Somalian government officials and lawmakers.
"This rascal attack, which targets Somalia's future and peace, comes after the search for stability and development by the Somalian people," the ministry said in a statement Feb. 20. "The attack was during Friday prayer, which shows terror's hateful face, disregarding all divine values."
A radio station associated with the Al-Shabaab militant group quoted a senior group member as saying that the group was behind Friday's "major operation."