Khalifa Hifter's comments came in response to the Turkish parliament's decision to extend for 18 months a law that allows the deployment of Turkish troops to Libya. Turkish military assistance to the Tripoli-based government — including advisors, equipment and intelligence — helped stop Hifter's year-long offensive on the capital. Turkey has also been accused of sending thousands of Syrian mercenaries to Libya. The Turkish lawmakers' decision came Tuesday, despite a U.N.-brokered cease-fire in Libya declared in October. A U.N. experts report has said that Russia has been supporting Hifter’s forces with military equipment and private armed operatives.

Source: Libya Today December 24, 2020 18:33 UTC