Turkey plans to set up two military bases in Libya

Turkey is planning to set up two military bases in Libya after the victory of Libyan Army forces under the command of the Government of National Accord and liberation of south Tripoli and other western region areas from Khalifa Haftar’s forces.

Yeni Safak newspaper in Turkey said, citing military sources, Ankara and Tripoli’s cooperation is becoming more thorough as Al-Watiya airbase is being re-operated for Turkey, adding that Ankara will put anti-aircraft systems and drones inside Al-Watiya airbase, as they proved successful in operations against Haftar’s forces.

It also said that rebuilding projects have already begun as Turkey is willing to provide massive contributions to reconstruct the destruction caused by the nine-year war.

It also indicated that oil drilling and exploration activities are going to start as well between Ankara and Libya, in addition to giving Turkey another military base in Misrata, according to Yeni Safak.

It said Turkey worked to resolve the Libyan conflict using not only ground and air forces but also the naval force, creating a naval missions force off the Libyan coast, helping to thwart threats from the sea to the country.

“The tension and Greek provocations in Eastern Mediterranean requires the presence of Turkish naval forces in Libyan territory and that is why Misrata port will be a military base for Ankara.” The newspaper added, saying it will have the biggest share in Libyan oil drilling and that is why Turkish ships should be inside Libyan waters.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu are expected in Istanbul on Sunday for talks with their Turkish counterparts on Libya and Syria.

Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar had held a telephone call with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Libya, while President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had received in Istanbul on Friday head of the Libya’s High Council of State Khalid al-Mishri.

Discussions focused on bilateral relations and the need to boost cooperation in all fields. Turkey said it was ready to help Libya build its economy and achieve stability and development.

Turkish presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said contacts are ongoing over reaching a political solution in Libya based on United Nations resolutions and this year’s Berlin conference.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s Yeni Safak daily, which is close to Erdogan, reported that Ankara is planning on setting up permanent military bases in Libya’s al-Watiya airbase and at its Misrata port.

It cited “provocations” from Greece in the eastern Mediterranean, which is raising tensions there and demands the presence of Turkish naval forces in Libyan regional waters.

It cited “regional sources” as saying that military cooperation between Libya and Turkey will rise to “higher” levels after the visit paid to Ankara last week by Libyan Government of National Accord chief Fayez al-Sarraj, who held talks with Erdogan.

Kalin on Friday said Ankara is in favor of a political solution in Libya, reported Yeni Safak.

He said Turkey will not undermine any call for ceasefire but it is important to see where this call is coming from and what is the motive.

Cairo had recently declared an initiative aimed at reaching a ceasefire in the conflict, resuming political talks and electing a leadership council.