Turkey to dispatch a team to Russia for Libya talks

A senior delegation from Ankara will soon travel to Moscow for substantial talks on the recent developments in Libya, the Turkish president said, expressing his hopes to accomplish a constructive result in a short time, after a phone exchange with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

"We have made an assignment (with Putin). In the framework of this assignment, a delegation composed by our deputy foreign minister, deputy defense minister and officials from the intelligence and national security will soon pay a visit to Moscow. They will discuss regional matters in substance," President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan told a press conference in Geneva before his departure to Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 18.

"We have demanded a constructive meeting to obtain a result in a short period of time from Putin, and he told us he will issue a similar task. We have agreed that our teams will discuss both Libya and Syria," he added.

Erdoğan and Putin held a phone conversation on Dec. 17 and discussed mainly Libya and Syria, particularly after Turkey signed two memoranda of understanding with the Libya's U.N.-backed Government of National Accord (GNA) under the leadership of Prime Minister Mustafa Fayez al-Sarraj.

Turkey and Russia are on opposite pages in Libya as the latter supports Tobruk-based General Khalifa Hafter forces who launched a major offensive against the Tripoli-based al-Sarraj government.

Libya deal complies with int'l law 

On questions, President Erdoğan underlined that the deals with Libya do comply with the international law and that the government is working on some additional measures which will be announced in due course.

Germany invites Turkey to Libya meeting 

Turkey's deal with the...