United Arab Emirates slams Turkish accusations over war in Libya

ABU DHABI, UAE (North Press) – UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Anwar Mohammed Gargash demanded on Saturday that Turkey stop interfering in the affairs of Arab countries.

Last week, Turkish Minister of Defence Hulusi Akar has accused the UAE of committing "malicious acts" in Libya and Syria and vowed that Ankara would hold it accountable "at the right place and time".

In response, Gargash said on Twitter, "The provocative statement of the Turkish Minister of Defense is a new fall for his country's diplomacy.”

“Relations are not managed by threats and intrusions, and there is no place for colonial delusions at this time, and it is better for Turkey to stop its interference in Arab's affairs,” he added.

Ankara and the UAE have had a very combative relationship since the 2016 failed coup in Turkey, when Turkish officials began to publicly question whether the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, Mohammed bin Zayed, had something to do with the conspiracy.

Ankara supports the UN-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) with mercenaries, weapons and drones in the conflict against Libya's eastern-based military leader Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by UAE, Egypt and Russia.

Libya has been torn by violence, drawing in tribal militias, jihadists and mercenaries since the 2011 toppling and killing of longtime dictator Moamer Gathafi in a Western-backed uprising.

The oil-rich country is split between rival administrations in the east and west, with the conflict recently attracting increasing foreign involvement.

(Editing by Hisham Arafat)