Egypt, Italy, France say Turkish escalation in Libya threatens region’s security

Ahram Online , Monday 6 Jan 2020

The calls come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the beginning of the deployment of his country's troops to Libya.

Egypt FM Shoukry
File Photo: Egypt's FM Sameh Shoukry (Photo: Reuters)

Egypt, Italy and France stressed that Turkey’s recent intervention in Libya endangers security and peace of the region entirely, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry read. 

According to the statement, the consensus was expressed during phone calls by Egyptian foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry with his Italian and French counterparts Luigi Di Maio and Jean-Yves Le Drian.

The calls, which come as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the beginning of deployment of his country's troops to Libya, are part of intensive contacts with international partners on ongoing developments in Libya.

The ministers reaffirmed rejection to any military interference in Libya, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Hafez said, as they underscored the necessity to support efforts aiming towards a political solution for the Libyan crisis. 

In the past weeks, tensions have continued to mount in the Mediterranean region following controversial accords signed between Ankara and Libya's Government of National Accord, led by Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj.

Egypt has reiterated its firm support of the eastern-based Libyan National Army and its commander Khalifa Haftar, stressing its rejection of "any form of intervention in Libya’s domestic affairs."
 

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