Erdogan: EU interferring in LIbya, condemns protests

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday the European Union had no business making decisions on Libya, accusing European nations who agreed to launch a maritime effort to enforce a UN arms embargo of interfering in the region.

Addressing legislators from his ruling party in Parliament, Erdogan also voiced support for Libya's UNs-backed government decision not to participate in talks in Geneva aimed at salvaging a fragile cease-fire in the North African country.

The decision followed an attack on Tripoli's strategic port.

"I want to specifically mention that the EU does not have the right make any decisions concerning Libya," Erdogan said.

"The EU is trying to take charge of the situation and interfere."

"At the moment, the legitimate government based in Tripoli has withdrawn from the (negotiating) table and this is a positive decision, it is a rightful decision, it is the right decision," Erdogan said.

The Turkish leader added that Turkey would continue the Tripoli-based government to "establish dominance" over the whole of the country.

Erdogan also appeared to approve of the re-arrest of Osman Kavala, a prominent philanthropist detained for alleged ties to a 2016 coup attempt but detained again just hours after a court acquitted him on terrorism-related charges and ordered his release from jail after 840 days.

He described the 2013 anti-government protests as being a "heinous attack" that allegedly cost the country billions of dollars.