U.S. President Donald Trump called for a “rapid de-escalation” of the Libyan conflict in a telephone conversation with his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Saturday, the White House said.
Trump’s call comes following threats by Turkey that any attacks on its interest in Libya by forces loyal to renegade military commander Khalifa Haftar would “have serious repercussions.”
Turkey backs Libya’s internationally recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), which has been embroiled in a months-long battle against Haftar’s eastern-based Libyan National Army (LNA).
White House spokesman Judd Deere said in a statement: “President Trump reiterated concern over worsening foreign interference in Libya and the need for rapid de-escalation.”
Libya has been dogged by conflict since the 2011 ouster and killing of former leader Muammar Gaddafi.
In response to the threats by Turkey, the LNA has promised to respond with a massive air campaign, which diplomats have warned risks a new round of escalation with the warring sides’ external backers pouring in new weaponry.
Turkey “will not bow to threats by Haftar or anyone else,” Turkey’s presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin said separately in an interview on NTV.
“The international community must take a stand against Hafter. We need to go back to the table for a political solution as soon as possible,” Kalin said.
