Turkish Parliament extends troop deployment to Libya
The measure, which extends Turkey's presence in Libya by 18 months, had the backing of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's party.
The Turkish Parliament voted Tuesday to extend the deployment of Turkish troops in war-torn Libya who are fighting on behalf of the internationally recognized government.
"There are threats from Libya to Turkey and the entire region, and if attacks resume again, Turkey's interests in the Mediterranean basin and North Africa will be adversely affected," read the measure extending the deployment by 18 months.
The move had the support of Erdogan’s ruling Justice and Development Party and the Nationalist Movement Party, with opposition parties voting against it.
The North African country descended into chaos amid a 2011 uprising that overthrew and killed longtime dictator Moammar al-Gadhafi. Libya is now ruled by two administrations, each supported by foreign backers who have flooded the country with illegal arms and mercenaries.
