On July 13, 2020, Mevlut CAVUSOGLU the Turkish Foreign Minister rejected a ceasefire in Libya.

He said that it would not be in the interests of the Turkish-backed GNA (Government of National Accord) to accept one. He added that any ceasefire must be contingent on the withdrawal of the LNA (Libyan National Army), led by the general Khalifa HAFTAR.

Mevlut CAVUSOGLU said in an interview that the city of Sirte and Jufra airbase needs to be turned over to the GNA before it agrees to a ceasefire.

He said Türkiye would start seismic research and drilling operations for natural resources in the part of the eastern Mediterranean covered by a November agreement between Türkiye and the GNA. Türkiye was open to sharing with companies from countries such as Italy, the UK, the US, and Russia.

LNA has been on the back foot after Turkish support helped the GNA turn back his 14-month assault on the capital, Tripoli.

Asked about a possible operation against LNA held Sirte, CAVUSOGLU said there was a diplomatic effort to solve the issue.

“There are preparations for an operation but we are trying the [negotiation] table. If there is no withdrawal, there is already a military preparation. The GNA will show all determination here” CAVUSOGLU said in an interview on TRT Haber on Monday.

Anwar GARGASH the UAE minister of state for foreign affairs said the UAE which supports HAFTAR’s forces along with Egypt and Russia continues to work for an immediate ceasefire and a return to a political process in Libya.

Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN spoke by phone on Monday with Russia’s President Vladimir PUTIN and discussed the war in Libya and in Syria, where they back rival sides, the president’s office said, without giving details.

This article was edited using the data from the Aljazeera.com, English.alarabiya.net, and Thisismoney.co.uk.