Libyan delegation from Tobruk visits Ankara

By Ugur Cil

ANKARA

A delegation from Libya's Tobruk-based House of Representatives has visited Ankara and expressed their intention for close cooperation with Turkey.

The delegation met with officials from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, Parliament and the Turkish Contractors’ Association on Thursday. They were also received by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Lawmaker Ziyad Daghim told Anadolu Agency that one of the purposes of their visit was to counter some misperceptions against Turkey in Libya.

Referring to some allegations spread by local and regional media sources that Turkey supports armed groups in Libya, Daghim said: "We know that Turkey certainly does not help terror groups in Libya."

Daghim said they decided to visit Turkey to "break this impression" being imposed on the Libyans, and thanked Libya's Ankara Ambassador Abdurrazaq Mukhtar Ahmed Abdulgader for his efforts in this regard.

Daghim said that another purpose of their visit was to ensure Turkish businesses that their receivables from Libya were guaranteed.

"Turkish companies need have no fear or hesitation about their receivables in Libya. Their rights are reserved," he said.

The Libyan politician added that their Ankara trip was in response to a visit from Turkey’s special representative for Libya and the ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party's Ankara deputy, Emrullah Isler who travelled to Libya a month ago.

Libya's port city of Tobruk remains under control of forces led by military commander Khalifa Haftar.

The country has been dogged by violence since 2011, when a bloody uprising led to the overthrow and death of longstanding President Muammar Gaddafi after more than four decades in power.

The ensuing power vacuum led to the emergence of several rival seats of government and a plethora of heavily-armed militia groups.