Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers
Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers/node/1615666/middle-east
Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan (C) looks on as US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo (L) walks past prior a family picture during a Peace summit on Libya at the Chancellery in Berlin, on January 19, 2020. (AFP)
Erdogan says Turkey not yet sent troops to Libya, only advisers
Last week, Erdogan had said Turkey has begun sending troops to Tripoli
Said Ankara had only deployed military advisers and trainers so far
Updated 20 January 2020
Reuters
ANKARA: Turkey has not yet sent any troops into Libya, President Tayyip Erdogan was cited as saying on Monday, adding that Ankara had only deployed military advisers and trainers so far.
Last week, Erdogan had said Turkey has begun sending troops to Tripoli. He has also previously said Ankara would deploy troops.
Speaking to reporters on a flight back from a Libya summit in Berlin, Erdogan said Turkey’s efforts at the summit had set the groundwork for a cease-fire between the warring parties, according to broadcaster NTV. He added that Turkey’s presence in the North African country increased hopes for peace.
Smugglers' boat collides with rocks as it attempted to flee pursuing as Coast Guard vessels
The boat was about to illegally transport passengers from the Syrian coast of Tartus coast to Cyprus
Updated 6 sec ago
Arab News
DAMASCUS: Syrian Coast Guard forces have arrested members of a human smuggling network operating in the western town of Tartus, the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported Saturday.
Authorities pounced on the smugglers as they were about to transport passengers from the Tartus coast to Cyprus by illegal means, the state media said, citing a statement from the General Authority of Ports and Customs.
"The operation resulted in the arrest of all those involved, including the organizers of the trip," said the report, adding that the smugglers' boat attempted to escape as Coast Guard vessels surrounded it, but collided with rocks.
No details were made available on how many suspects were arrested and how many passengers were rescued. Criminal charges are being prepared against the arrested suspects, SANA said.
Headquarters of the Syrian General Authority of Ports and Customs in Damascus. (SANA photo)
New restrictions on commercial transit
In a separate move to regulate trade and border security, the ports and customs authority has issued a new policy restricting truck access at land crossings and seaports.
Commercial trucks will now only be permitted entry for loading or unloading upon presentation of an original receipt from the Ministry of Transport’s freight office.
The transfer of cargo between Syrian and non-Syrian vehicles must now take place strictly within designated customs yards at border crossings.
Trucks passing through Syria in transit remain permitted, provided they are under a mandatory customs escort between entry and exit points.
