Erdoğan and Libya’s oil : Azerbaijan’s call for Turkey’s participation in oil exploration stirs controversy
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s statements about cooperating with Azerbaijan in oil exploration in Libya have caused a lot of controversy over the past few days. Many questions have been raised about Erdoğan’s character and the Turkish presence in the country.
During his visit to the Azerbaijani capital Bakou, he said that Turkey and Azerbaijan, through the existing joint structure, could “operate in the hydrocarbons sector in Turkey, Libya or other countries, and could also participate in oil refining work.”
“We have a structure related to Turkish oil at the moment. With this structure, we can take such a step in Libya with our dear friend Ilham Aliyev,” he said, referring to Azerbaijan’s president.
“Libya belongs to him”
“Erdoğan is acting as if Libya is his own, and let him confirm that he will not leave the country,” said Ali al-Tekkbali, a member of the Libyan parliament.
Al-Tekkbali added in statements to Al-Hurra website that Erdoğan wanted to assure the world and the Berlin 2 Conference that he is staying in Libya, governing and doing what he wants, indicating that he wants to ensure Azerbaijan’s loyalty to him against Russia.
The “Berlin 2” conference will be held on June 23 in Germany, with a new round “to discuss the means of stabilizing the country and the preparations for the elections scheduled for December 24, and the exit of foreign soldiers and mercenaries.”
Political analyst Khaled Al-Sukran believes that Erdoğan’s statements are meant to allow Turkish companies, which were granted oil exploration concessions by the Government of Accord, to participate in oil exploration in Libya.
Al-Sukran added in statements to Al-Hurra website that Erdoğan does not have the right to give promises to anyone to grant privileges in Libya, noting that the Libyan government will not accept that Erdoğan be its agent in such agreements.
“During the visit of the head of the new unity government, Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, Turkey and Libya concluded 5 agreements in various areas.” Officials from both sides signed the agreements : “A protocol on the construction of an electric station in Libya,” “A memorandum of understanding on the establishment of 3 power stations in Libya,” and “A memorandum of understanding on the construction of a new passenger station at Tripoli International Airport.”
A “memorandum of understanding on building a shopping center in Tripoli” and a “memorandum of understanding on strategic media cooperation.”
“In the first 5 months of this year, Turkish exports to Libya grew by 67 percent compared to the same period in 2020, according to Anadolu Agency.”
Turkish exports to Libya amounted to $983 million between January and May 2021. “Last May alone, Turkish exports to Libya reached $158 million.”
“Disallowed”
As for the possibility that the current government will approve new concessions for Turkey and Azerbaijan to explore for oil, al-Sukran stressed that the current unity government is not allowed to sign such agreements or grant any state privileges in Libya.
Al-Tekkbali agreed, saying that no transitional government has the right to sign such agreements or host other governments, stressing that Libyan oil belongs to all the people and not the government. He noted that the government could not approve such agreements and pass them without the approval of the parliament.
“Despite Libya’s division since 2014 between two rival governments in the east and west, the oil corporation has remained the only internationally recognized entity as a legitimate producer and seller of Libyan oil.”
“The foundation operated from its headquarters in Tripoli, but its activity covered the country and across the frontlines”. The Foundation transferred the revenue from oil sales to the Central Bank, which distributed the funds to State institutions in both the East and the West.
“Over the past months, the conflict between Libya’s warring parties over oil has escalated, particularly in the region of Sirte and Jufra, which is considered the entrance to the country’s oil crescent.” The Oil Corporation and the Central Bank had differences over oil sales revenues.
“Libyan oil production collapsed last year when forces allied with Khalifa Haftar blocked exports to pressure the Tripoli government, but later recovered to around 1.3 million barrels a day after the fighting stopped.”
“With the announcement of the formation of a unity government headed by Abdel Hamid Dbeibah, demands for an end to the foreign presence in Libya, especially of Turkey, have grown, sparking many disagreements over the past days.”
Departure of turkish troops
“At the end of April, Libya’s foreign minister, Najla al-Mangoush, came under heavy fire and called for her resignation over her calls for Turkish troops to leave the country.” An armed group in the West also stormed the Corinthia Hotel in the capital Tripoli, where the new Presidential Council is meeting, in protest.
Last week, a gun battle erupted in the Libyan parliament against Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar’s visit to Turkish troops in Libya without prior knowledge of the political leadership in Tripoli, which some considered “offensive”.
With the announcement in February that Dbeibah and El-Menfi list to form the government and the country’s leadership, calls for the departure of all foreign forces increased, and many questions were raised about the fate of the Turkish presence in the country and the military cooperation agreement signed with the reconciliation government.
Al-Sukran confirmed that Turkey intervened in Libya based on signing military cooperation agreements with the legitimate government of the country at that time, the Government of Accord led by Fayez Al-Sarraj.
The situation in Libya is volatile and everyone expects war and conflict to return again, he said, so each side, whether in the East or the West, seeks to maintain its external support.
Al-Tekkbali stressed the need to get all the mercenaries out of the country. He explained that in the east Russian mercenaries can be taken out anytime they want, but in the west the Turks act like masters, and no one can ask Erdoğan to withdraw the mercenary.”
He pointed out that the West refuses the exit of Turkish mercenaries because they do not have an army. “Turkey will not leave Libya unless the Security Council takes a decisive stance against it,” he said.
Over the past few days, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the return of some 140 Syrian mercenaries from Libya to Syria, where they were replaced and about 200 others were taken out in an exchange, indicating that Ankara has no intention of withdrawing its forces or Syrian mercenaries soon, according to observers.
