Turkey hardens its tone with the Gaddafi regime and revises its roadmap
(BRUSSELS2) In a press conference which had nothing improvised, the Turkish Prime Minister, Recep Erdogan (AKP), gave, on Tuesday (3 May), more than an inflection to Turkish policy vis-à-vis live under Muammar Gaddafi's regime. The hardening is clear. "Gaddafi chose to shed blood, instead of following our advice and avoiding bloodshed" he explains. " The most suitable escape route in the current situation is to give back to its owner what belongs to him... Libya is not a family property... Peace and justice cannot be established on blood , on brotherly blood...We want Gaddafi to move away from Libya and step down from power, for his future and that of his country”. This speech also followed a symbolic diplomatic act and the bombardment of a Turkish humanitarian ship in the port of Misrata. There therefore seems to be a turning point in the Turkish position vis-à-vis the Libyan regime which thus brings it closer to the American and European point of view.
Suspension of performance in Tripoli
Turkey indeed decided on Sunday evening (May 1) to suspend the activity of its embassy in Tripoli and to repatriate its diplomats to Tunisia. Decision taken " due to change in security conditions ". But alongside this, the Turkish consulate in Benghazi remains open. Finally, it should be noted that Turkey very quickly sent ships to supply the rebels in Misrata.
Turkish ship targeted in Misrata
On May 1, a Turkish ship - sent by the NGO "IHH" which is not just any NGO (*) - came under some bombardment. As the Turkish blog relates, turkishnavy, the ship was the target of several Grad rocket hits, while it was unloading equipment. " Some burst just 10 meters from the ship » says Serkan Oktem one of the coordinators ofIHH, on the organization's website. " We just have time to leave the port, very quickly, by cutting the ropes that were at the quay ". Several of the waiting migrants were killed. " I saw at least two dead He says.
The Turkish roadmap: a proposition in three points
Turkey also poses as an intermediary by offering the belligerents a three-point "roadmap", a roadmap not very far from the position of the EU and the Contact Group: 1. Immediate and real ceasefire, withdrawal from cities of military elements affiliated with the government, lifting of sieges, restoration of electricity, gas and water in all cities and regions. 2. Formation of safe humanitarian zones that would allow the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid to all, without discrimination. 3. Urgent launch of an inclusive dialogue process on democratic change and transformation that takes into consideration the legitimate interests of all the Libyan people.
Read also: The European embassies in Tripoli can be counted on the fingers of one hand
Download the text of the Erdogan's statement the 3 May
* The Foundation for Human Rights, Freedom and Humanitarian Relief (IHH) is also known for chartering one of the ships of the Gaza Peace Flotilla last year, the MV Mavi Marmara, which had been the subject of a bloody assault by Israeli forces. She also launched an appeal to repeat the operation in June. It has been placed on the list of banned organizations because it is suspected of being linked to Hamas, notably Germany and, very recently, the Netherlands.