On 28 November, the 5+5 Joint Military Commission (JMC) met at the invitation of the Turkish Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Ankara, Turkey, at the HQ of the MoD. During the meeting, additional steps for the peace, stability, and security of Libya were discussed. The 5+5 JMC called for the formation of a new government in Libya to hold presidential and parliamentary elections, in order to end the crisis and achieve stability.
In a statement, the Turkish MoD said that it had invited the commission to meet in Ankara as part of its goal towards ‘a unified Libya in which all institutions work together,’ and stressed its intention to continue its ‘support and cooperation with all segments of Libya based on a unified understanding.’ The ministry emphasized ‘the historical friendship between Turkey and Libya, which guarantees na tional unity, and the importance of contributing to building a Libya that lives in peace, tranquility and stability.’ It praised the work done by the 5+5 JMC on confidence building measures and its contribu tion to the stability of Libya. The ministry confirmed that it will continue to provide all kinds of support to the development of joint activities. The ultimate goal of Turkey is a unified Libya acting together with all its institutions.
After the meeting, the members of the 5+5 JMC were received by MoD Yaşar Güler and Chief of General Staff General Metin Gürak. Güler confirmed in his speech Turkey’s support for the ‘Libyan people’s desire’ to hold elections to achieve stability. LTG Khairi al-Tamimi, Secretary-General of the LNA and member of the 5+5 JMC, welcomed Turkey’s rapprochement with the LNA to put the past behind them. Furthermore, he welcomed the Egyptian-Turkish dialogue and emphasized the continuation of efforts to expel all mercenaries and foreign forces from Libya.