Turkey supports Libyan unity, solidarity, says PM Davutoğlu

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

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Turkey will support Libyan unity and solidarity, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu said on Jan. 11, in a meeting with the prime minister-designate of the Libyan Government of National Accord, Fayez al-Sarraj. 

“Turkey will always take your side in the context of Libya’s economic development and reconstruction when Libya gains stability,” Davutoğlu said.        

The Turkish prime minister said the country had lent its support to those injured in a terror attack in the western Libyan city of Zliten, treating the wounded in Turkey.        

At least 50 people were killed and 127 others injured last week when a suicide bombing rocked a police training center in the city.        

“Thank you so much for Turkey’s support to the injured people,” al-Sarraj said.

Al-Sarraj added that political, economic and trade relations between Turkey and Libya had improved and there were many areas for cooperation between the two countries.        

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the decades-long rule of Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.        

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each with its own institutions and military capacities.

The Libyan Political Agreement calls for a one-year transitional phase to last until a referendum on a new constitution and elections can be held. According to the terms of the agreement, a unity government was established to run the country during a transitional period.