Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is urging Europe to side with Libya's internationally recognized government as it heads to Berlin, Germany, to negotiate a peace deal with rebel forces.
In an Op-ed published on Politico, Erdogan urged all EU countries to fully support Libya's government as it prepares to hold peace talks on Sunday with rebel commander Khalifa Haftar.
Haftar has been at war with Libya's government for nine months. The bloodshed between the two sides has mainly taken place in Libya's capital, Tripoli. The fighting has killed more than 2,000 people including approximately 280 civilians-- and displacing thousands.
"The EU needs to show the world that it is a relevant actor in the international arena. The upcoming peace conference in Berlin is a very significant step toward that goal. European leaders, however, ought to talk a little less and focus on taking concrete steps," Erdogan said.
Germany has already publicly issued its support for Libya's government. It's France and other members of the EU that Erdogan is most concerned about. The Turkish president accused the French of siding with "the Libyan coup plotter, Haftar, against that country’s legitimate government."
Erdogan says failure to secure a peace deal between the two warring sides could lead to a resurgence of terrorist groups, such as ISIS and AlQaeda, in the region and in Europe.
"The Libyan civil war serves as a litmus test for the EU. Will European leaders uphold the liberal world order in the face of yet another attack? Or will they abdicate their responsibilities," Erdogan said.
A temporary truce between Haftar and government forces is currently in place as the two sides prepare to discuss ways to resolve the situation in Libya. Erdogan says his government is prepared to teach Haftar "a lesson" if his forces violate the truce.
By: Niza Nondo
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