'Turkey will continue to support Libya'

ANKARA

Turkey will continue to support Libya on the request of the country's Government of National Accord (GNA), security sources said on Wednesday.

Early Wednesday, a 12-article-agreement was reached in the UN-facilitated meetings of a 5+5 Joint Military Commission on the implementation of a permanent cease-fire in Libya.

During the meetings, a military sub-committee was created to oversee "the return of military forces to their headquarters and withdrawal of foreign elements from military lines of contact."

Turkey favors forming of an independent, sovereign, and prosperous Libya with territorial integrity and national unity, said the security sources speaking on the condition of anonymity due to media restricts.

Turkey backs a political process in Libya in line with the UN Security Council decisions and supported by the people of Libya, sources also said, adding that Turkey welcomes all means of steps and developments taken towards such move.

Sources further stressed that the GNA is the legitimate government in Libya, and said Turkey is providing support in Libya on the GNA's request and will continue to do so as as long as the country asks for it.

They also noted that Turkey will continue to provide its support in the areas of education, health, humanitarian aid, and counseling in Libya in accordance with the recently implemented agreement.

"As we always express, our aim is to ensure territorial integrity, sustainable cease-fire, lasting peace and stability in Libya, where we have 500 years of unity, common history, culture, understanding, and beliefs," added the sources.

The 5+5 Joint Military Committee, which includes five military representatives from the Libyan army affiliated with the legitimate Libyan government, and forces affiliated with the leader of illegitimate armed forces in the east, warlord Khalifa Haftar, met for meetings Monday and Sunday in the town of Ghadames for the first time.

The military delegations, which previously met on Oct. 19-23 in Geneva under the leadership of the UN, signed a permanent cease-fire agreement as a result of the fourth round of meetings.

Libya has been torn by civil war since the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Libya's GNA was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement have failed due to a military offensive by forces loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar.

The UN recognizes Fayez al-Sarraj's government as the country's legitimate authority, but efforts for a long-term political settlement have failed due to a military offensive by forces loyal to warlord Khalifa Haftar.

Tripoli has battled Haftar's militias since April 2019 in a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.

* Writing by Merve Aydogan.