Turkey's prime minister has criticized the severity of the ongoing military operation in Libya, as proposals are being made to transfer control of the operation to NATO. There are questions about whether Turkey, as a NATO member, would accept such a move. Analysts say Ankara's stance could well be influenced by tensions with France.
Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan used his weekly address to his parliamentary deputies to slam the Western-led air strikes in Libya, and he questioned their stated humanitarian motive.
He said the operation is being perceived by Libya and others as oil- and profit-oriented and as an intervention by the West. Erdogan said Turkey will not be on the side that points a gun towards Libya's ruthless and dictatorial regime.
For more: Turkey Wary at Fellow NATO Member France's 'Prominent Role' in Libya | Europe | English
