After the announcement by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to send troops to Libya, German politicians have called for unity from the European Union. "Russia and Turkey are trying to shape the European neighborhood in their sense," said FDP parliamentary group leader Alexander Graf Lambsdorff to the editorial network in Germany.
"The EU's disagreement in the Libya conflict - especially France and Italy - means that other decisions are taken that directly affect our security and our interests," said Lambsdorff. He called on the EU Council of Foreign Ministers to meet soon "to find a European strategy for Libya".
The Greens foreign politician Omid Nouripour also criticized the inaction of the EU. "With their disagreement, Europeans have not only lost time but also influence - others are now exercising that," he said. In his opinion, peace efforts from Germany are too late.
Turkey can send military trainers and advisers
A civil war has raged in Libya since the overthrow of long-term ruler Muammar al-Gaddafi in 2011. The United Nations recognized government of Fajis al-Sarradsch and the powerful General Chalifa Haftar compete for power. Haftar's self-proclaimed Libyan National Army (LNA) has been trying to capture the capital, Tripoli, since April. While Turkey supports Al-Sarradsch, Haftar is backed by Egypt and the United Arab Emirates, among others. Russia should also support the general.
At the end of November, Turkey and the Libyan government based in Tripoli signed a security and military cooperation agreement. This allows Turkey to send military trainers and advisers, according to a report by the state news agency Anadolu. Erdogan wants to get permission to send soldiers from parliament in early January. It is unclear what kind of troops are involved.
Federal government is striving for an international Libya conference
The issue of Libya repeatedly causes controversy in the EU. There are allegations against France to support Haftar. Germany is currently trying to organize an international Libya conference in Berlin. The list of participants has not yet been determined. Erdogan recently left his participation open. Chancellor Angela Merkel (CDU) plans to travel to Ankara in January for talks with Erdogan after an unconfirmed media report.
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