Despite the extremely difficult conditions on the ground in Libya, the Turkish government has displayed a firm resolve for continuing its humanitarian operation for the people of the Northern African country, which appears to be Ankara's priority after having ensured the safety of Turkish citizens through a huge evacuation operation.
Despite the extremely difficult conditions on the ground in Libya, the Turkish government has displayed a firm resolve for continuing its humanitarian operation for the people of the Northern African country, which appears to be Ankara's priority after having ensured the safety of Turkish citizens through a huge evacuation operation. The ferry Ankara, which set sail from the Aegean city of İzmir for the Misrata port on March 27, arrived at the port of Çeşme, İzmir, late on Tuesday, following the rescue of hundreds of wounded Libyans and their families from the besieged Libyan city of Misrata on Sunday and rebel stronghold Benghazi early Monday. After having to wait off the coast for days, the ship was only able to rescue the Libyans after Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu talked the Libyan government and the opposition forces into holding a 12-hour-long temporary ceasefire. Interior Minister Osman Güneş and Health Minister Recep Akdağ were among those who welcomed the ship at the port. The vessel brought 479 people, including 321 Libyans who are to receive medical treatment in Turkey, relatives accompanying them as well as several dozen foreigners who requested evacuation. More than 160 ambulances were on standby. The boat which carried medical supplies to Libya, is also returning with 29 foreigners, including those from Greece, Ukraine, Britain, Uzbekistan, Germany and Finland, and nearly 20 Turks. The Turkish health minister told reporters when the vessel was approaching the coast that a field hospital was ready to provide emergency treatment for wounded Libyans. He said the evacuation reflects Turkey's efforts to help the Libyan people, adding that Turkey has become a leading country in providing humanitarian aid around the world. The 12-hour cease-fire was only meant to allow the safe passage of the Turkish ferry in and out of the Libyan ports and is not part of the cease-fire deal that Turkey is trying to broker between Gaddafi and the opposition, officials said. Akdağ said securing the cease-fire was critical for the operation. As the Ankara ferry had to leave behind thousands of people pleading to be evacuated in Misrata, underlining the plight of civilians, the Turkish government has announced that it will build a field hospital in Benghazi for the wounded that were not taken to Turkey. Deputy Prime Minister Cemil Çiçek told reporters on Monday that Turkey is sending three military planes carrying 19 health personnel and medical equipment for the field hospital in order to treat people who cannot be transported here. "Turkey is the only country which has led the humanitarian operation. There is no other country which has made such a contribution and provided assistance," Çiçek underlined. Gaddafi resisted Misrata operation The Turkish ambassador to Libya, Levent Şahinkaya, meanwhile, has disclosed that the Libyan government had sought to direct the Ankara ferry first to Tripoli or to postpone its trip, but instead the Turkish government sent it directly to Misrata, escorted by 12 F-16 fighters and a warship. "The humanitarian side is so important to us," the ambassador said in an interview held by The New York Times in Tripoli. Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu also confirmed that Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi was reluctant to let the Turkish ship travel to Misrata to take the wounded. Speaking to a group of journalists en route to Bahrain on Tuesday, Davutoğlu said Libyan officials told Turkish authorities that there were no wounded that needed medical assistance in Misrata, dismissing opposition complaints about humanitarian situation as "exaggerations." But the Turkish side said in response that Turkey received credible information that there were wounded people in need of medical assistance in Misrata. "We told them: 'Let our doctors come. If the situation is as you described, this would be positive propaganda on your behalf. If the situation is not that good, then let us help them as they are your citizens,'" Davutoğlu said. The foreign minister also said the rescue operation, which was conducted under the protection of 12 Turkish jet fighters, was a national operation by Turkey and not related to NATO's. "It carries important messages to certain powers in the Mediterranean," Davutoğlu said, without elaborating. He apparently referred to France, whose active role in launching aerial strikes on Gaddafi targets has been criticized by Turkey.
