Turkey has offered its warships to help implement a UN arms embargo against Libya, world media said Wednesday citing a NATO source.
The UN Security Council imposed a no-fly zone over Libya last Friday, allowing “all necessary measures” to protect civilians from leader Muammar Gaddafi’s attacks on rebel-held towns.
According to media, Turkey offered five warships including four frigates and one support vessel, as well as a submarine to help enforce the embargo.
However, Turkey strongly objects to the military intervention in Libya.
There has yet been no official confirmation from Turkish officials of the offer.
Leaders of the United States, the United Kingdom and France agreed in a phone conversation that NATO should take the key role in the military operation in Libya.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Catherine Ashton confirmed on Tuesday that such discussions are ongoing.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that NATO finished its planning on the no-fly zone and arms embargo enforcement in Libya and all members of the alliance were “committed to meet their responsibilities under the United Nations resolution to stop the intolerable violence against Libyan civilians.”
The U.S. imposed unilateral sanctions on 14 Libyan companies owned by Libya’s National Oil Corporation, which it sees as “the centerpiece of Libya’s state-owned oil apparatus” and “a primary funding source for the Gaddafi regime.”
Libyan state television has reported that at least 60 civilians have been killed and over 150 wounded in continuing allied airstrikes.
ANKARA, March 23 (RIA Novosti)