Erdogan condemns Egypt's actions in Libya as ‘illegal’
The Turkish president's remarks came a day after his Egyptian counterpart met with Libyan tribesmen in Cairo.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan condemned Egypt’s role in Libya’s intractable conflict as illegal, a day after his Egyptian counterpart met with the heads of allied Libyan tribes in Cairo.
Erdogan told reporters today that Turkey "will not allow our Libyan brothers to stand alone” in their fight against the eastern-based Libyan National Army of Khalifa Hifter. The renegade commander is supported by Egypt, as well as the United Arab Emirates and Russia. The rival, UN-backed Government of National Accord counts Turkey among its patrons.
“Egypt's steps [in Libya], especially their standing next to putschist Haftar, shows that they're in an illegal process," Erdogan said, according to Turkey’s pro-government Daily Sabah newspaper.
In Cairo on Thursday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Libyan tribesmen and told them his country would “not stand idle” amid escalating tensions in the northern city of Sirte.
