Ban Ki-moon calls Davutoğlu on World Humanitarian Summit, Libya

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon delivers a speech during a one-day conference meant to further efforts to resettle Syrian refugees at the United Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, Wednesday, March 30, 2016. AP photo

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu to discuss the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul, along with Turkey’s contribution to the anti-Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) efforts in Libya, state-run Anadolu Agency has reported. 

Sources from the Prime Ministry said the March 29 phone call was made upon the U.N. chief’s request, and the leaders discussed details related to the World Humanitarian Summit to be held in Istanbul on May 23-24, alongside developments in Libya. 

Ban Ki-moon informed Davutoğlu on meetings he recently held about re-establishing political unity, stability and security in the North African country and expressed wishes for the continuation of Turkish support on Libya. In response, the Turkish prime minister reiterated Ankara’s determination to continue its cooperation in the fight against ISIL. 

The leaders also discussed the summit, which Turkey will host in less than a month in Istanbul. The summit was also the topic of discussion during the U.N. chief’s recent visit to Istanbul Mayor Kadir Topbaş on March 24.  

The two officials went over preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit and talked about local administrations’ demands and suggestions for Syrian migrants’ impact on Turkish cities, Topbaş told reporters previously. 

Davutoğlu also had a recent meeting with the secretary-general in Amman on March 27, where they reviewed the ongoing U.N.-led talks aimed at accomplishing a political transition in Syria, alongside other regional developments.