One of Libya’s rival governments signed preliminary economic and maritime deals with Turkey in a move that has inflamed tensions between it and the North African country’s other administration.
The deals, signed by Turkey’s foreign minister with the Tripoli-based Libyan government, signal a strengthening of ties amid repeated international calls for elections to resolve the country’s political divide.
This was disclosed in a news conference that followed the signing on Monday in Tripoli.
The memorandums of understanding were signed by both countries, paving the way for further bilateral cooperation in the hydrocarbon and oil sectors. A gas deal is also expected, confirmed Turkey’s foreign minister, Mevlut Cavusoglu, during the news conference.
Recall that Libya has been mired in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled and killed long-time dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011.
For years the country has been split between rival administrations, one based in the east and one in the west, each supported by rogue militias and foreign governments. The past months have seen an uptick in deadly militia clashes.
