Is Libya on the verge of plunging into another crisis?
The country has continued to experience major unrests since the assassination of its long-time leader, Muammar Mohammed Abu Minyar Gaddafi on October 20, 2011.
Citizens have been thrown into confusion and panic over the recent threats between the country and Turkey.
Libya has been under divided leadership for some time now, with Tripoli maintaining a different government from Eastern Libya which is controlled by Khalifa Haftar and his forces.
The situation got to a climax after anti-Haftar forces retook the strategic town of Gharyan in a surprise attack which was a blow to the strongman’s push for Tripoli.
Turkey, like many other European countries, has not hidden its support for the Government of National Accord (GNA) which operates in Tripoli.
The Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has confirmed on many occasions that his country will back and continue to support the internationally recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) and provides weapons to it under a “military cooperation agreement”.
He told reporters on June 20 that Turkish backing had allowed Tripoli to “rebalance” the fight against Haftar, who has the backing of the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.
In retaliation to the backing and support of his enemies by Turkey, General Khalifa Haftar has ordered his forces to attack Turkish ships and interests in the country.
The treat has not been taken likely by the European country, who has stated equivocally that they will retaliate any attack on their ships and interests in the country.
Turkey’s defense minister has said that Turkey will not fail to retaliate any attack by Libya’s Military General Khalifa Haftar’s forces.
“There will be a very heavy price for hostile attitudes or attacks, we will retaliate in the most effective and strong way. It should be known that we have taken all kinds of measures to deal with any threat or antagonistic action against Turkey,” Hulusi Akar told Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
Turkey’s efforts in Libya sought to “contribute to peace and stability in the region” according to Akar.
General Khalifa Haftar had ordered his self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) to target Turkish ships and companies, ban flights and arrest Turkish nationals in Libya, his spokesman said Friday.
The LNA, which holds eastern Libya and much of the country’s south, launched an offensive to take the capital in early April.
The government in Tripoli has released a statement saying it would stand with Turkey against threats of Eastern Libyan forces loyal to Commander Khalifa Haftar, state-run Anadolu Agency reported.
"Any attack on our friends, especially the Turks, will be regarded as harming our national security and will be resisted," Libya's High Council of State said in a written statement.
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