Erdogan: "We want Libya to return to stability as soon as possible"

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan yesterday criticized Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi for ignoring Turkey's advice that he hand over the country's leadership, adding that the current military attacks on Gaddafi's forces should end as soon as possible so stability can be restored there. "I wish the situation could have been resolved without getting to this point," Erdogan told the Jeddah Economic Forum in Saudi Arabia. "We wanted Libya to determine its fate without bloodshed. We wish Libya had transitioned its reform process like Tunisia and Egypt did. Unfortunately, this hasn't happened and the situation has come to a highly undesirable point … Now I hope the latest developments will bring a swift end to this era of brother killing brother, and the will of the Libyan people will prevail." Asked whether Gaddafi should step down, Erdogan said: "We're past that point. Gaddafi is contradicting himself. He said he was not officially the leader of Libya. What is expected of a person who is not officially in charge is to hand over the administration of Libya to a person who has an official leadership position." Erdogan added, "We are not pessimistic. We should never lose hope. We can stop the unending bloodshed and tears in this region. Believe me, we can do this."