Turkey Criticizes Greece for Inviting Libyan Militia Commander

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The Turkish government strongly criticized the Greek government for inviting Khalifa Haftar, commander of the Libyan National Army (LNA), a military faction controlling eastern Libya.

On the 19th (local time), Turkish Foreign Minister Mevl?t ?avu?o?lu wrote on Twitter, "Inviting Haftar and highlighting Greece's national agenda obstructs efforts to bring peace to Libya."

He also mentioned Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias, adding, "We want to remind our Greek friends that such efforts are futile."

Earlier, on the 16th, the Greek government invited Commander Haftar to Athens, where Foreign Minister Dendias met with him.

This move is seen as a response to Turkey's signing of military security and maritime agreements with the Libyan Government of National Accord (GNA), which shares control of Libya with the LNA, last November.

According to the military security agreement, Turkey plans to deploy troops to Libya to assist the GNA and use western Libya, controlled by the GNA, as a base for exploration and development of Eastern Mediterranean resources.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.