Libya's Al-Sarraj says Turkey's military backup is inter-country defense cooperation


July 30, 2019 - 20:07
Posted in:
Written By: AbdulkaderAssad

The Head of the Presidential Council Fayez Al-Sarraj said the Turkish military support for the government in Tripoli comes at the request of the legitimate Libyan government to defend the capital and its residents against the attacking forces.

Speaking to Russia's Sputnik, Al-Sarraj said the attacking forces of Khalifa Haftar had received, according to the statements of UN envoy to Libya and other reports over the last three years, many types of weapons from countries that everyone now knows, saying these weapons encouraged Haftar to attack Tripoli.

"This is a violation of the arms embargo on Libya and we have called on the international community many times to stop it and allow the UN-backed government in Libya to import arms to defend the country." He explained.

"We are defending the capital and we can cooperate with the friend countries of our own choosing." Al-Sarraj added.

He said the end of the war is approaching as the Libyan Army forces keep advancing and defeating the attacking forces so Libyans can return to the political process, adding that there are no mediations that aim at a ceasefire but only calls and requests in statements by several countries.

He reiterated that the urge for a ceasefire must be made to the attacking forces as his government forces are doing their legitimate duty of defending Tripoli an Libyans' aspirations of a civilian state.

"The war entered the fourth month in a coup attempt that aims at seizing power. The attackers thought they would use their numerous weapons to win the war and enter Tripoli in 24 hours, but that didn't happen." Al-Sarraj remarked.