Turkish President refuses to attend 'Libya conference' in Paris because Greece is also invited

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has refused to attend the conference on Libya held in Paris today (12/11) because France has invited Greece to participate.

According to recent news out of Turkey, Erdogan has agreed to send Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Sedat Onal to represent him.

France's invitation to Greece is a recognition of its key role in the safety and security of the region.

It is the first time Greece is participating in such a high-level meeting on Libya, with French President Emmanuel Macron extending the invitation during Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis' visit to Paris at the end of September.

Greece's position on Libya is in support of the full application of the Ceasefire Agreement of October 23, 2020 and the withdrawal of all foreign troups and mercenaries as soon as possible.

The conference is a French initiative jointly held with Germany, Italy and Libya, with the UN Secretariat General. President of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al Menfi and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah have agreed to attend.