Turkey sends special representative to Libya

İZMİR - Doğan News Agency

DHA Photo

A deputy of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), Emrullah İşler, is paying a two-day visit to Libya in his capacity as special representative of Turkey’s president and government, the Foreign Ministry announced Oct. 20.

İşler, a former deputy prime minister, will convey Turkey’s views in an effort to end the current environment of conflict and maintain peace and stability in Libya during his talks with Libyan officials on Oct. 20-21, the Foreign Ministry said in a written statement. İşler will also discuss the potential support that Turkey could offer to Libya, the ministry said.

The visit, which is taking place at a time when Libya is most in need of political stability and support from friendly countries, will provide an opportunity to highlight that Turkey is in solidarity with “the fraternal Libya people,” the statement said.

İşler’s visit comes as nine people were killed on Oct. 19 in new violence in Benghazi where pro-government forces have launched an offensive against Islamist militias, raising the toll to 75 dead in five days.

Fierce fighting has raged in several parts of Libya’s second city between pro-government forces led by Gen. Khalifa Haftar and Islamist militias. Since a 2011 revolution that toppled Libya’s longtime leader, Moammar Gadhafi, interim authorities have failed to establish a regular army and had to rely on state-backed militias.