Turkey Lashes Out at U.A.E. For Supporting Libya ‘Coup Plotters’

(Bloomberg) -- Turkey accused the United Arab Emirates of supporting “coup plotters” and destabilizing the region after the Gulf country renewed its backing for General Khalifa Haftar, who leads an army based in eastern Libya that's set siege to the capital, Tripoli.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said in a statement late Thursday that the U.A.E.'s criticism of Turkey was an attempt to cover up its “hypocritical policies.”

“For years, the U.A.E. has been providing putschists in Libya with weapons, military equipment and mercenaries,” Aksoy said. He accused the country of also disturbing peace and stability in Yemen, Syria, and the wider region.

Ankara has been backing the United Nations-recognized Government of National Accord (GNA) in Tripoli against the onslaught by Haftar, an eastern commander backed by the U.A.E., Egypt, and Russian mercenaries.

“We invite the U.A.E. government to renounce its hostile attitude towards Turkey and to know its place,” Aksoy said. He said stability and security could be achieved by supporting a Libyan political agreement and the Government of National Accord.

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