Xalid El Mehcûb, a Libyan National Army (LNA) Commander, speaks to Mesopotamia Agency on the latest developments in Libya and of the political intentions of Turkey there.
There has been no peace in Libya since the uprising of Arab Spring in 2011. Now the country has been divided into two parts, in one part the Government of National Accord that is supported by Turkey and Qatar and in the other part, the Libyan National Army commanded by the Khalifa Haftar.
Although a ceasefire was signed between the parties on 23 October 2020 as a result of the initiatives led by the United Nations (UN), there are still ongoing conflicts in the region.
Turkey who has been criticised for supporting the war in Libya has extended the duration of the mandate to send troops to Libya for another 18 months. The position of Turkey and it’s affiliated mercenary gangs that were transferred from Syria to Libya only increases tension in the region.
LNA brought this to the agenda during the meetings in Geneva. LNA Commander Xalid El Mehcûb explained.
Turkey wants to preserve its existence in Libya
“Turkey does not want the war to end in the region, it supports ongoing war,” said Mehcûb. “Turkey organised the transfer of gangs to Libya. First, Turkey transferred them from Syria to Turkey and then from Turkey to
Libya by plane. These Syrian militias were brought to Libya as a result of some commercial agreements by which Turkey benefits.”
Through its military and human support in Libya war, Turkey aims to show its power in the region, according to the LNA Commander.
“Turkey wants to show its power to both Egypt and the other countries in the region and to preserve and spread its existence in Libya, but this plan will not work in Libya,” he said.
“Turkey gains profit over Libya war”
Mehcûb stated that Turkey should understand the reality in Libya and the people of Libya will not let outside forces to benefit from the war in their lands.
“Turkey is given a great deal of money from the shipment these gang members to Libya. Even though it receives a large amount of money from various international powers, Turkey gives a very small amount of it to the militias for the fight. The remaining part of the money, Turkey takes for itself. The economy in Turkey is really bad and Turkey wants to survive this crisis with the financial support coming from the transportation of militias,” he said.
What does the international powers want?
It is not only Turkey, who wants the war in Libya to continue, but also some international powers, according to the LNA Commander.
“However, the US and Russia look at the situation differently. The end of the war means that the factories of both countries will be able to continue production in Libya. This is also a significant issue for the European states. Libya is only a step away from them; that is, the atmosphere of terror in Libya is not far away from Europe as well . Considering the demands of China, we can understand the interests of these powers within this framework,” he said.
“We fight for the freedom of the country”
In relation to the negotiations about Turkey in Geneva, various Syrian factions that were sent to Libya are said to be removed from the country and this is the achievement of the LNA led by Khalifa Haftar, according to Mehcûb. ”
“We as the Libyan National Army demanded these militias to be forced to leave our country during the UN meetings in Geneva. We do not want these foreign fighters in our country,” he said.
“The patriotic consciousness increases in Libya now. The struggle of the Libyan National Army, which protects Libya, will create a better political landscape. This is very important. If the existing military power had not given a fight, the situation would have been much worse. This military and political wisdom helps Libya to move for a better future.”
