Turkey calls for common sense from Libyan parties

By Zehra Ulucak

ANKARA

Turkey on Saturday called for common sense from all parties in Libya to ensure a lasting peace in the country.

Turkey's Foreign Ministry issued a statement on the first anniversary of the agreement which was signed in Morocco in an effort to end the turmoil in Libya.

Turkey is committed to the functioning of the political structures and launch of determined targets in Libya established by the agreement, said the statement.

"In this sense, Turkey has, since the date mentioned, adopted the Presidential Council and other institutions foreseen in the agreement as the only legitimate counterparts in Libya, in accordance with the decisions of the UN Security Council," read the statement.

"The agreement continues to create an important framework of the pact that will allow for the silence of arms, the restoration of the unity of the country and the establishment of a prosperous Libya," the statement said.

The ministry called for more efforts from the parties to ensure a lasting peace in the country.

The statement also said that more than 600 Libyans, who were injured during the fight against Daesh, had received treatment in Turkey.

"Turkey will maintain to contribute to the efforts for providing the security and stability in Libya in future," the statement added.

Libya has remained in a state of turmoil since a bloody uprising ended the decades-long rule of Muammar Gaddafi in late 2011.

Since then, the country’s stark political divisions have yielded two rival seats of government, each with its own institutions and military capacities.

The Libyan Political Agreement calls for a one-year transitional phase to last until a referendum on a new constitution and elections can be held. According to the terms of the agreement, a unity government was established to run the country during a transitional period.