ANKARA (Reuters) — Turkey and Libya’s internationally recognized government are discussing possible Turkish use of two military bases in the North African country, a Turkish source said on Monday, teeing up a lasting Turkish presence in the south Mediterranean.
No final decisions have been made over possible Turkish military use of the Misrata naval base and the al-Watiya air base, which was recently recaptured by the Turkey-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).
The GNA has driven back Khalifa Haftar’s Libyan National Army (LNA) — backed by Russia, France, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates — in recent weeks and recaptured several positions. Last week, Turkey said it could expand its cooperation in Libya with new energy and construction deals once the conflict ends.
“Turkey using al-Watiya […] is on the agenda,” said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It could also be possible for the Misrata naval base to be used by Turkey.”
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Reporting by Orhan Coskun and Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer and Nick Macfie
Image: A Libyan flag flutters atop the Libyan Consulate in Athens, Greece, December 6, 2019. (REUTERS/Costas Baltas/File Photo)
