Iran Press/ Middle East: Turkish parliament on Thursday ratified a motion authorizing the government on sending troops to Libya. A total of 509 lawmakers attended the ballot in the 600 seat parliament; with 325 lawmakers voting in favor of the motion, while 184 lawmakers rejecting it.
The ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party, and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) backed the motion, while the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), opposition Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and opposition Good (IYI) Party voted against the motion.
"Libya's National Consensus Government made a military request from Turkey in the struggle of threats towards Libya's unity and stability," the motion said.
It added: "If so-called Libya's National Army's attacks could not be stopped and if the clashes in Libya turn to massive civil war, Turkey's interests will be negatively affected both in the Mediterranean basin and in northern Africa."
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that he would consider deploying troops to Libya only at the request of the UN-backed government, led by Fayez Serraj.
The deployment under the one-year mandate approved on Thursday is expected to support Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s Tripoli-based government against forces aligned with eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, which are backed by Russian mercenaries, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates.
Turkey’s involvement could complicate international efforts to end the divisions that have roiled the country since the overthrow of strongman Moammar Qaddafi in 2011. 205/219
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