Tripoli, July 4 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Turkey has officially recognised Libya’s rebel council and pledged to help it with an aid of at least $200 million, Al Jazeera reported.
The Turkish foreign minister visited the rebel stronghold of Benghazi Sunday.
During his one-day visit to the country, Ahmet Davutoglu pledged $200 million in aid to the rebels, in addition to $100 million already allocated by Turkey.
‘Gaddafi should leave power and a genuine political change based on the demands and aspirations of the Libyan people should be realized. The unity of Libya must be protected,’ Xinhua quoted Davutoglu as saying.
Turkey initially opposed NATO military operation in the country, but distanced itself when the allies began their airstrikes.
Turkey, meanwhile, announced the official closure of its embassy in Tripoli. The ambassador, Salim Levent Sahinkaya, had left the Libyan capital when NATO airstrikes began in March, but officially remained in post until recently.
