Turkey Eyes Libyan Bases for Lasting Military Foothold, Source Says

Vehicles are seen outside a hangar at Al-Watiya airbase also known as Okba Ibn Nafa airbase, which was seized by forces loyal to Libya's UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA), southwest of the capital Tripoli, on May 18, 2020. Mahmud Turkia/AFP via Getty Images

ANKARA—Turkey and Libya’s internationally recognized government are discussing possible Turkish use of two military bases in the North African country, a Turkish source said on June 15, with a view to a lasting Turkish presence in the south Mediterranean.

No final decisions have been made over possible Turkish military use of the Misrata naval base and the al-Watiya airbase, which was recently recaptured by the Turkish-backed Government of National Accord (GNA).