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LIBYA

Sarkozy greeted as a hero on return to Libya

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy was given a hero's welcome when he returned to Libya on Tuesday. Sarkozy was reportedly "moved" by the reception he was given on making his first return to Tripoli since his victorious 2011 visit.

Published: 19 March 2013 18:14 CET
Sarkozy greeted as a hero on return to Libya
Sarkozy is greeted warmly by the crowd in Tripoli. Photo: Mahlud Turkia/AFP

Sarkozy landed at the military airport in Mitiga on Tuesday, accompanied by former French Prime Minister Alain Juppé and former Minister for Justice Dominique Perben.

His 24-hour visit brought back memories of the victory lap he made in the autumn of 2011 with UK Prime Minister David Cameron, after the fall of Muammar Gaddafi.

Sarkozy had led the successful charge by NATO to depose the Libyan former dictator, in what was considered one of his political triumphs during his five years in the Elysée Palace.

Juppé told BFM TV that Sarkozy was “moved” by the reception he received. “He talked about how all of this has come about. Libya is still present in his mind and we understand because the decision he took to intervene was huge and with serious consequences, but it succeeded.”

“It is moving to hear people shout ‘Vive la France' and ‘Vive Sarkozy’. That is what makes this trip all worth while,” Juppé added.

The former president met with representatives of the local Tripoli council before heading for talks with the country's Prime Minister Ali Zeidan. The former head of state is also set to meet with members of the General National Congress.

Sarkozy’s visit coincides with the second anniversary of the launch of the Libyan intervention and coincides with increased speculation about him making a heroic return to politics in France.

Last month The Local reported Sarkozy’s intriguing interview with a French magazine in which he spoke about having ‘a duty’ to make a comeback for the sake of ‘France’.

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NATO

Sweden strikes deal with Turkey over Nato membership

Sweden has finally won the backing of Turkey's President Erdogan for its Nato membership, with a deal struck on the eve of the alliance's Vilnius summit opening the way for Turkish ratification "as soon as possible".

Published: 10 July 2023 21:40 CEST
Sweden strikes deal with Turkey over Nato membership

“President Erdogan has agreed to forward the Accession Protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible and work closely with the assembly to ensure ratification,” Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said after the deal was struck. “This is a historic step which makes all Nato allies stronger and safer.” 

At the press conference, Sweden’s prime minister Ulf Kristersson, said it had been “a long day in a long journey towards Swedish membership”. 

“I am extremely happy,” he said. “This is a good day for Sweden”. 

In a separate joint statement, Sweden repeated its commitments to help Turkey in its “fight against terrorism” making an addition pledge to support Turkey’s in its long-stalled efforts to join the EU. 

“Sweden will actively support efforts to reinvigorate Turkiye’s EU accession process, including modernisation of the EU-Turkiye Customs Union and
visa liberalisation,” the statement said.

In return, Turkey said it “will transmit the Accession Protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly, and work closely with the Assembly to ensure ratification.”

Turkey has been holding up Sweden’s application to join the Atlantic alliance, accusing Stockholm of harbouring Kurdish activists Ankara regards as
terrorists.

And on Monday, Erdogan upped the stakes further, demanding that the European Union revive Turkey’s stalled EU membership bid as a precondition for Sweden joining Nato.

Shortly before the deal was announced Erdogan interrupted his talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson to hold talks with Charles Michel, the President of the EU Council. 

Michel hailed a “good meeting”, adding that they had “explored opportunities ahead to bring EU-Turkey cooperation back to the forefront and re-energise our relations”.

Turkey has been a formal candidate to join the European Union since 2005, and an aspirant since long before that, but talks have long been stalled with little sign of life.

US President Joe Biden welcomed the agreement. 

“I stand ready to work with President Erdogan and Turkey on enhancing defence and deterrence in the Euro-Atlantic area,” he said in a statement, adding: “I look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Kristersson and Sweden as our 32nd NATO ally.”

“The path for Turkey’s ratification of Sweden’s membership of Nato is finally clear,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock wrote on Twitter, hailing the “good news from Vilnius”.

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