Turkey provided radar images against French allegations in Med, says minister

Turkey has proven through video footage and radar images that its ships have not engaged in any illegal activity in the
Mediterranean Sea, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar said June 25 amid allegations that its navy had harassed a French warship.
Speaking at a ceremony in Kayseri province, Akar said Turkey shared all of the evidence with NATO's military and civil authorities.

A French official claimed Wednesday that the Turkish navy had harassed one of France's warships taking part in a NATO mission in the Mediterranean.

Turning to Turkey's fight against terrorism, Akar said operations are picking up pace both at home and abroad. 

"In Operation Claw-Tiger, Turkish soldiers are making maximum efforts despite challenging conditions. They did what they had to do and continue to do so. Our only purpose there is to fight against terrorism and terrorists and to ensure the security of our borders and people," he said. 

Turkey's joint Claw-Tiger and Claw-Eagle operations were launched this month against the threat from the PKK and other terrorist groups, who often use northern Iraq to plan cross-border attacks. 

Libya 

On his country's presence in Libya, Akar said Turkey is there at the invitation of the president of the U.N.-recognized and legitimate Libyan government, Fayez al-Sarraj, to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. 

"We provide military training and consultancy services to the Libyan government's armed forces which conduct operations on the ground. Our presence in Libya is completely legitimate." he added. 

Akar noted that the silence of some countries that back eastern Libya-based warlord Khalifa Haftar- who is committing crimes against humanity in the country- has drawn...