ANKARA, Jan. 20-- Turkey wants to be further involved in any process that would restore peace and stability in war-torn Libya following a summit of world leaders held on Sunday in Berlin where key actors agreed on limiting external interference. Participants in the one-day summit signed a wide-ranging agreement to respect a UN arms embargo and stop providing military support to Libya's warring factions. But the gathering failed to persuade the rival sides to agree to a lasting cease-fire. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who attended the conference, said his country's efforts at the summit had set the ground work for a cease-fire between the warring parties, adding that Turkey's presence in the North African country increased hopes for peace. The Turkish leader made these remarks to reporters on a flight back from Berlin, broadcaster NTV reported Monday, making it clear that Turkey is determined to play a key role in Libya after the Berlin summit. In a joint conference with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin after a meeting on the sidelines of the summit, the Turkish leader insisted on the importance of the role of his nation in Libya peace talks. "Turkey has become key to peace in Libya with its efforts both on the field and diplomacy. We see the Berlin summit as an important step on the way to cementing a cease-fire and a political solution," he said. Erdogan reportedly left the German capital two hours ahead of schedule, because he refused to sit on the same table with Khalifa Haftar, commander of Libya's eastern-based army, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. |