NATO and the EU must be more important to them.
"Turkey views rebels as leaders" Associated Press / July 4, 2011
BENGHAZI, Libya - Turkey’s foreign minister recognized Libya’s rebel leaders as the country’s legitimate representatives and promised them an additional $200 million in aid during a visit yesterday.
The visit by Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu signaled a further policy shift for Ankara, Turkey. The nation, a key regional power, had initially balked at the idea of military action in Libya, but as a NATO member is now supporting the alliance’s air strikes there.
Turkish companies were involved in construction projects worth billions of dollars in Libya before the outbreak of a Libyan antigovernment uprising in February that has evolved into a protracted armed conflict....
Huh? I was told days not weeks.
The Turkish visitor said his country recognizes the rebel leaders as the legitimate representatives of the Libyan people. Several other countries, including France, Qatar, and Italy, have previously recognized the rebels....
Turkey has already granted the Libyan opposition $100 million in aid and promised an additional $200 million. Some of the money is to be used to improve the infrastructure of Benghazi and rehabilitate its airport.
“For us, the destiny of Libya is the same as the destiny of Turkey,’’ said Davutoglu. “I expressed our solidarity and commitment.’’
Davutoglu’s trip to Benghazi yesterday is the most powerful signal that Turkey, which has vast trade interests in Libya, is throwing its weight behind the Libyan opposition despite its long-time relations with Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy.
The foreign minister said he hopes the Libya crisis can be solved peacefully this month. Turkey has called on Khadafy to withdraw from power and pave the way for “democracy and transparency.’’
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