UPDATE - Türkiye voices support for 'brotherly' Libya

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT BY TURKISH NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER

By Diyar Guldogan and Merve Berker

ANKARA (AA) - Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu and head of Libya’s High Council of State Khalid Al-Mishri on Tuesday discussed the latest developments and election process in Libya.

Cavusoglu said on Twitter that he hosted al-Mishri in the capital Ankara.

"Evaluated recent developments and the election process in #Libya. Will continue to give our strong support to brotherly Libya & will develop our cooperation in every field," Cavusoglu added.

Turkish National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also met with al-Mishri at the ministry headquarters in Ankara.

Akar and al-Mishri talked about the latest situation in Libya, according to a statement by the ministry.

Stressing the 500-year-old fraternal bonds between Türkiye and Libya, Akar expressed that Ankara’s support to its Libyan brothers and sisters in terms of cooperation on military training will continue.

Türkiye will keep making efforts for the peace, tranquility, and prosperity of Libya, with the motto “Libya belongs to Libyans,” Akar noted.

The Turkish national defense minister also emphasized the importance of taking all necessary steps to prevent possible conflicts in the near future for the sake of the Libyan people.

On Aug. 1, Al-Mishri was re-elected the head of Libya's High Council of State for a fifth term.

Libya has been plagued by turmoil and divisions since the 2011 ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi.

UN-sponsored talks between Libyan rivals to agree on a constitutional framework for holding the long-awaited elections have been deadlocked.

Libyans are still waiting for elections to take place in hopes that the vote will contribute to ending years of armed conflict in the oil-rich country.