Turkey closely following Libyan talks in Morocco, foreign ministry says
Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, chairs a meeting of representatives of Libya's rival administrations in the coastal town of Bouznika, south of Rabat, Sept. 6, 2020. (AFP Photo)


Turkey is closely following Libyan talks hosted by its North African neighbor Morocco, Turkey's Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

It also praised Morocco's "constructive attitude" toward solving the Libyan crisis.

From the beginning, Turkey has also pushed for a political process, in line with U.N. Security Council resolutions implemented and embraced by Libyans, said ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy in a statement.

"We are closely following the Libya dialogue meeting held in the city of Bouznika, Morocco," Aksoy said.

"Morocco hosted the Libya Political Agreement talks signed in 2015 and ratified by U.N. Security Council Resolution 2259," the statement added.

"Turkey has supported these talks; (Foreign Minister) Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu personally participated in the signing ceremony of the Agreement," the statement said.

"We appreciate Morocco's constructive attitude towards a solution to the crisis in Libya," the statement added.

Libya's rival sides met in Bouznika on Sunday.

The same day, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and visiting Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj met in Istanbul to discuss developments in Libya, bilateral relations and regional issues.

Libya's Government of National Accord (GNA), founded in 2015 under a U.N.-led agreement in the wake of the ouster of longtime dictator Moammar Gadhafi in 2011, has faced several challenges, including attacks by putschist warlord Khalifa Haftar. In recent months, however, it has turned the tide against Haftar's forces.

Turkey supports the internationally recognized government based in the capital Tripoli and a non-military resolution of the crisis.