22 December
The Turkish parliament approved a military deal with Libya's UN-backed interim government on Saturday. The deal allows Turkey to provide weapons, to conduct military training, and to give military advice.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says his country is ready to assist the Libyan interim government led by Prime Minister Fayez al-Serraj upon request in any way possible. The forces of the interim government, which controls the western part of the country including the capital Tripoli, have been fighting troops led by General Khalifa Haftar in the east.
More than 1,000 people, including civilians, are reported to have died since April of this year. Libya has remained divided since longtime ruler Muammar al-Qadhafi was ousted in 2011. The UN bans exports of weapons to Libya.
Sources say if Turkey provides military assistance to Tripoli, other countries in the region which support the eastern forces may increase their assistance and that is likely to fuel the conflict.—NHK
