(ANSA) - TRIPOLI, DEC 25 - Marshal Khalifa Haftar, the strong man of eastern Libya, has invited his forces to take up arms to "drive out the Turkish occupier", while talks are underway to take the country out of stalemate.
"We must remember today that there will be no peace in the presence of a colonizer on our land", warned the marshal in reference to Ankara, whose parliament approved a motion this week extending the authorization to deploy soldiers in Libya by 18 months. "We will then take up arms to shape our peace with our own hands and, since Turkey rejects peace and opts for war, get ready to hunt down the occupier with faith, will and weapons", he said in a speech on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of the country's independence.
Fayez al Sarraj's government of national unity is recognized by the UN and supported by Turkey. Haftar is supported by Russia and the United Arab Emirates. (HANDLE).