Turkey, Libya pledge to boost energy alliance

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

Turkey and Libya will enter into closer energy cooperation and Turkish companies will acquire the place they actually deserve in Libya, Libyan prime minister said on Jan. 3.

During a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Libyan Prime Minister Ali Zeidan said, “Libya may increase the amount of oil it provides to Turkey and Turkish companies may start oil exploration in Libya.”

“We desire to have around 20,000 weapons from Turkey within our efforts to strengthen the Libyan military,” Zeidan also said.

“Libya is in need of helicopters, assault boats and other kinds of mechanisms for coastal security,” the prime minister said.

This has been Zeidan’s second visit to Turkey since coming to power in November 2012. Erdoğan said Turkey is also planning to make a return visit to Libya after the Turkish local elections to be held on March 30.