Washington calls for implementing Resolution 2254, Turkey insists on its existence in Libya

During the past week, Arab newspapers touched on the Syrian situation, in addition to the Turkish presence in Libya, as well as the Yemeni crisis.

'An American call to implement Resolution 2254 with' all its provisions'

Al-Sharq Al-Awsat newspaper said: "The US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the Foreign Ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) Countries affirmed, during their meeting in London, their commitment to finding a political solution that ends the conflict in Syria.

Blinken, who visited London to participate in the meetings of the "G7" Foreign Ministers, said on "Twitter": "My counterparts and I have affirmed our commitment to finding a political solution to end the conflict in Syria and support the re-launch of the UN mechanism for cross-border aid." He added, "We will continue to work to implement all the provisions of Resolution 2254 of the United Nations Security Council and to end the suffering of Syrians."

Resolution 2254 issued on December 18, 2015 stipulated an immediate halt by all parties to the attacks on civilian targets in Syria.

'Turkey resolves controversy over its military presence in Libya: we will not withdraw'

Al-Arab newspaper talked about the withdrawal of Syrian mercenaries from Libya, and said: "Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar resolved the debate on the withdrawal of Turkish soldiers and Syrian mercenaries from Libya by asserting that they will remain to preserve their interests in Libya and the interests of the Libyans that they set for them."

Prior to that, Najla Al-Manqoush, the Libiyan Foreign Minister requested Turkey during a joint press conference with her Turkish counterpart,  Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, which was held in the capital, Tripoli, to cooperate to end the presence of foreign forces in her country in a way that guarantees restoring its stability and preserves its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

While Çavuşoğlu refused what he described equity between the Turkish Forces in Libya and others that are illegal, describing at the same time his country's military presence in Libya as "Legal" and within the framework of military cooperation that took place at the request of the Libyan government at the time," in reference to Fayez al-Sarraj's government.

MP Gabriel Ouheida considered that what happened during the joint press conference between the Foreign Ministers of Libya and Turkey "clearly indicates the continuing influence of Turkey in Libya."

He told "Al-Arab" that "the talk about leaving the mercenaries or at least the Turkish military presence in Libya seems to be far from reality, and this is evident through the condescending tone in the statements of the Turkish foreign minister."

'Diplomatic moves to impose peace in Yemen'

On the Yemeni issue, Al-Bayan newspaper said: "The United Nations Envoy Martin Griffith joined the US Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, in his meetings and movements in the region with the aim of pushing for the achievement of a peace agreement in Yemen."

In conjunction with these moves, a high-level American delegation arrived in the region, including US State Department Adviser Derek Chollet, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, as well as Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Joy Hood and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Middle Eastern Affairs Dana Stroll.

During its tour, the delegation will meet with senior officials in a number of Arab countries to emphasize the long-term political, economic, cultural and security ties between the United States and its regional partners. The delegation will also confirm, during its stay in Riyadh, the United States' support for the security of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and review the ongoing diplomatic efforts to reach a peaceful, negotiated solution to the Yemeni conflict.

D.H