As Libyan embassy in Ankara stays active, Benghazi opposition could also open representation office

Turkey currently has no plans to sever bilateral relations with the Libyan regime and will thus not work to halt the actions of the Libyan Embassy in Ankara, a Foreign Ministry official said yesterday. "Since we have not yet broken off state-to-state relations with the Tripoli administration, the Libyan Embassy in Ankara remains functioning," the official told reporters. At the same time, Ankara is also open to the establishment of a representation office in Turkey for the Libyan opposition's Benghazi-based administration. "They asked us to open a representation office in Ankara and we responded positively to that," the official said. "We have been expecting the Benghazi administration to give us a name (to head) their representation office." The mission of the Libyan opposition's office would be coordinating humanitarian aid, but Ankara doesn't rule out diplomatic contacts through this office, the official said. "We communicate with the opposition through our consulate in Benghazi," he added. "We can (also) carry it out through their representation office in Ankara."