<p>Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Tripoli</a> and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.</p>

<p>Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government.</p>

<p>As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/general-haftar-ready-to-abide-by-ongoing-ceasefire-in-libya-germany-274749">Khalifa Haftar</a>, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week.</p>

<p>Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders.</p>

<p>Haftar, a former general from the regime of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tayyip-erdogan-calls-on-europe-to-support-turkeys-moves-in-libya-275097">Muammar Gaddafi</a> toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin.</p>

<p>He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed.</p>

<p>Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit</strong></p>

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<p>The one-day summit, which will also bring together US&nbsp;Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj.</p>

<p>Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks.</p>

<p>Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support.</p>

<p>That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN&nbsp;official said on Saturday.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">In <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Berlin?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Berlin</a> to engage world leaders and <a href="https://twitter.com/UN?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@UN</a> officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Germany?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Germany</a> for serving as host and leading this important initiative. <a href="https://t.co/W8tjlO9R45">pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45</a></p>
— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) <a href="https://twitter.com/SecPompeo/status/1218663923823628288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US&nbsp;state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo.</p>

<p>Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added.</p>

<p>Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war.</p>

<p>"That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.</p>


Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output.

Libyan rival camps and their foreign backers will attend a summit in Berlin on Sunday to discuss ways to end a proxy war over the capital Tripoli and the oil producer, which has displaced 140,000 and now more than halved the country's crude output. Germany and the United Nations hope to persuade Russia, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt to push their opposing camps to agree on a lasting truce in Tripoli, home to the internationally recognized government. As with previous failed attempts, center stage of the one-day meeting will be occupied by eastern commander Khalifa Haftar, who in April started a campaign to take Tripoli. Western powers hope this time to put pressure on him to continue a ceasefire that has largely held for one week. Haftar on Monday walked out on a Russo-Turkish summit, in contrast with his rival Fayez al-Serraj, the internationally recognized prime minister, who signed a lasting truce proposal put forward to both leaders. Haftar, a former general from the regime of Muammar Gaddafi toppled in 2011, appeared confident this week when German foreign minister Heiko Maas visited him at his base outside Benghazi to ask him to come to Berlin. He leaned back in his chair while Maas was leaning towards him to make his peace pitch, a picture from the meeting showed. Haftar escalated the conflict on Friday when allied tribesmen shut down eastern oil ports, cutting oil production by 800,000 barrels a day. That will hit hard Tripoli, which benefits most from oil revenues. Watch: US Secretary of state Mike Pompeo reaches Berlin for summit × The one-day summit, which will also bring together US Secretary of States Mike Pompeo and European and Arab leaders, will not attempt to broker a power-sharing agreement between Haftar and Serraj. Instead, the focus is on a lasting ceasefire to restart talks. Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries, which helped him gain a bit on the Tripoli front. France has also given some support. That has prompted Turkey to rush to Serraj's rescue by sending troops to Tripoli. Up to 2,000 fighters from Syria's civil war have also joined the battle to defend the capital, a UN official said on Saturday. In #Berlin to engage world leaders and @UN officials to work toward ending hostilities in Libya. Thanks to #Germany for serving as host and leading this important initiative. pic.twitter.com/W8tjlO9R45 — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) January 18, 2020 × "I mean this is a region-wide conflict broadening, and looking increasingly like Syria which is why the whole international community is getting together in Germany," a senior US state department official told reporters travelling with Pompeo. Still, expectations were "moderate," the official added. Tarek Megerisi, a policy fellow with the North Africa and Middle East program at the European Council on Foreign Relations, said there was no sign Haftar's backers were pushing him to stop the war. "That means that obtaining a commitment to maintain this forum where all interfering actors meet in the form of follow-up committees would likely be the most valuable output Germany could achieve," he said.

Libyan rival camps to discuss ways to end crisis with an international summit in Berlin later today

<p>Turkish President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-ready-to-teach-a-lesson-to-haftar-if-libyan-forces-continue-attacks-274241">Tayyip&nbsp;Erdogan</a>&nbsp;has called on&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;to&nbsp;support&nbsp;its work in&nbsp;Libya, where it is providing military&nbsp;support&nbsp;to the internationally-recognized government if it wants to end the conflict there.</p>

<p>Erdogan&nbsp;made his remarks in a column published on the&nbsp;Politico&nbsp;website on Saturday, ahead of a summit in Berlin on Sunday that will try to stabilize the country.</p>

<p>At the meeting, Germany and the United Nations will push rival&nbsp;Libyan camps fighting over the capital, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-take-part-in-libya-peace-conference-in-germany-274938">Tripoli</a>, to agree to a truce and monitoring mechanism as first steps towards peace, diplomats and a draft communique said.</p>

<p>Turkey&nbsp;supports the government of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/general-haftar-ready-to-abide-by-ongoing-ceasefire-in-libya-germany-274749">Fayez al-Serraj</a> in Tripoli and describes Khalifa Haftar, who heads the eastern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-libyan-national-army-and-government-of-national-accord-blame-each-other-for-violating-ceasefire-273802">Libyan National Army</a> (LNA), as a coup plotter.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;9 month long civil war comes to an end, Haftar Committed to Libya Ceasefire</strong></p>

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<p>"Keeping in mind that&nbsp;Europe&nbsp;is less interested in providing military&nbsp;support&nbsp;to&nbsp;Libya, the obvious choice is to work with Turkey, which has already promised military assistance,"&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;wrote.</p>

<p>"We will train&nbsp;Libya's security forces and help them combat terrorism, human trafficking and other serious threats against international security," he added.</p>

<p>Sunday's summit will put pressure on Haftar and the LNA to halt a nine-month offensive against Tripoli after a week-long lull in fighting. But it will not try to broker power-sharing between the two sides, said diplomats briefed on preparations.</p>

<p>Haftar and Serraj are both due in Berlin along with&nbsp;Erdogan&nbsp;and the leaders of Russia, Egypt, and other Western and Arab powers.&nbsp;Libya&nbsp;has been in turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.</p>

<p>Erdogan&nbsp;said that if&nbsp;Libya's legitimate government were to fall Islamist militant groups such as Islamic State and Al Qaeda "will find a fertile ground to get back on their feet".</p>

<p>Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries. France has also given some&nbsp;support.</p>

<p>On the other side, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-lifts-ban-on-worlds-largest-encyclopedia-after-two-years-wikipedia-274791">Turkey</a> has&nbsp;supported Serraj by sending troops to balance out recent gains by Russian snipers. Hundreds of pro-Turkey fighters from Syria's war have also been deployed, diplomats say.</p>


Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has called on Europe to support its work in Libya, where it is providing military support to the internationally-recognized government if it wants to end the conflict there.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan has called on Europe to support its work in Libya, where it is providing military support to the internationally-recognized government if it wants to end the conflict there. Erdogan made his remarks in a column published on the Politico website on Saturday, ahead of a summit in Berlin on Sunday that will try to stabilize the country. At the meeting, Germany and the United Nations will push rival Libyan camps fighting over the capital, Tripoli, to agree to a truce and monitoring mechanism as first steps towards peace, diplomats and a draft communique said. Turkey supports the government of Fayez al-Serraj in Tripoli and describes Khalifa Haftar, who heads the eastern Libyan National Army (LNA), as a coup plotter. Watch: 9 month long civil war comes to an end, Haftar Committed to Libya Ceasefire × "Keeping in mind that Europe is less interested in providing military support to Libya, the obvious choice is to work with Turkey, which has already promised military assistance," Erdogan wrote. "We will train Libya's security forces and help them combat terrorism, human trafficking and other serious threats against international security," he added. Sunday's summit will put pressure on Haftar and the LNA to halt a nine-month offensive against Tripoli after a week-long lull in fighting. But it will not try to broker power-sharing between the two sides, said diplomats briefed on preparations. Haftar and Serraj are both due in Berlin along with Erdogan and the leaders of Russia, Egypt, and other Western and Arab powers. Libya has been in turmoil since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Erdogan said that if Libya's legitimate government were to fall Islamist militant groups such as Islamic State and Al Qaeda "will find a fertile ground to get back on their feet". Haftar is backed by the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Jordan, Sudanese and Chadian fighters, and most recently Russian mercenaries. France has also given some support. On the other side, Turkey has supported Serraj by sending troops to balance out recent gains by Russian snipers. Hundreds of pro-Turkey fighters from Syria's war have also been deployed, diplomats say.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey's moves in Libya

<p>Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-asks-russia-to-get-libyan-general-to-accept-truce-273642">Khalifa Haftar</a> if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/libya-and-iran-top-agenda-in-merkel-putin-meeting-273573">Tayyip Erdogan</a> said on Tuesday.</p>

<p>He said Haftar had "run away" from Moscow after Monday's peace talks between him and the head of the Tripoli-based government, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-libyas-haftar-left-moscow-without-signing-ceasefire-deal-274174">Fayez al-Serraj</a>, failed to lead to an open-ended ceasefire to end their nine-month conflict.</p>

<p><strong>Watch:&nbsp;Libya: Forces Loyal to General Haftar Announce Ceasefire</strong></p>

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<p>"If the putschist Haftar's attacks against the people and legitimate government of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-russia-want-to-safeguard-iran-nuclear-deal-macron-274067">Libya</a> continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party lawmakers in parliament.</p>

<p>"It is our duty to protect our kin in Libya," Erdogan added, saying that Turkey had deep historical and social ties with the north African country and that Haftar would have taken over the entire nation if Ankara had not intervened.</p>

<p>He said Turkey will join Germany, Britain, and Russia at a summit which Chancellor <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-have-not-heard-about-any-pressure-from-china-merkel-on-huaweis-5g-rollout-in-germany-269201">Angela Merkel</a> is to host in Berlin on Sunday to discuss Libya, which has been mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.</p>

<p>Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement but Haftar left Moscow without signing the accord, the TASS news agency cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday.</p>


Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday.

Turkey will not refrain from "teaching a lesson" to Khalifa Haftar if his eastern Libyan forces continue attacks against the country's internationally recognized government, President Tayyip Erdogan said on Tuesday. He said Haftar had "run away" from Moscow after Monday's peace talks between him and the head of the Tripoli-based government, Fayez al-Serraj, failed to lead to an open-ended ceasefire to end their nine-month conflict. Watch: Libya: Forces Loyal to General Haftar Announce Ceasefire × "If the putschist Haftar's attacks against the people and legitimate government of Libya continue, we will never refrain from teaching him the lesson he deserves," Erdogan said in a speech to his AK Party lawmakers in parliament. "It is our duty to protect our kin in Libya," Erdogan added, saying that Turkey had deep historical and social ties with the north African country and that Haftar would have taken over the entire nation if Ankara had not intervened. He said Turkey will join Germany, Britain, and Russia at a summit which Chancellor Angela Merkel is to host in Berlin on Sunday to discuss Libya, which has been mired in chaos since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Serraj signed the ceasefire agreement but Haftar left Moscow without signing the accord, the TASS news agency cited the Russian Foreign Ministry as saying on Tuesday.

Turkey ready to 'teach a lesson' to Haftar if Libyan forces continue attacks

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Libyan rival camps to discuss ways to end crisis with an international summit in Berlin later today

Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls on Europe to support Turkey's moves in Libya

Turkey ready to 'teach a lesson' to Haftar if Libyan forces continue attacks