Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held a phone conversation with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Friday regarding the developments in Libya and Syria, state-run Anadolu Agency reports.

The report indicate that the phone call was made on the request of the French leader.

The talks come four days after French and Egyptian presidencies called for the “greatest restraint” by Libyan and international authorities to avoid an escalation of the conflict that has rocked the country for months.

Turkey’s Grand National Assembly voted 352-184 to approve the deployment of troops in Libya to support Fayez Sarraj’s Tripoli-based government fend off forces loyal to strongman Khalifa Hafter who has pledged to take over the capital.

The approval now gives the Turkish government the green-light to send troops to Libya for one year.

The decision has also drawn concerns from the European Union, whose spokesperson Peter Stano said earlier on Friday that “actions supporting those who are fighting in the conflict will only further destabilise the country and the wider region.”

Libya has been dogged by war since December 2011, and the situation heightened earlier this year when self-styled Libyan National Army chief Gen. Hafter pledged to take over Tripoli from the U.N.-backed government led by Prime Minister Sarraj.

Hafter announced in early December a final push to take Tripoli from Sarraj’s government, unleashing heavy clashes on the southern edges of the city.

Since 2011, the Libyan war has killed thousands and displaced millions as militant groups and human trafficking cells sought to impose their command in various regions across the country.

Earlier this week, France and Egypt called for the “greatest restraint” by Libyan and international authorities to avoid an escalation of the conflict that has rocked the country for months.

Mediation teams hope the warring factions can strike a deal to restore lasting peace in the country.

SOURCE (Anadolu Agency)