ANKARA
Turkey condemned on Wednesday a statement that was allegedly released by the Libyan Air Forces' Facebook account, which said that all Turkish civilian or military planes will be shot down if they enter Libyan airspace.
Turkey's Foreign Ministry released a statement saying that the alleged statement was "hostile" and "illegitimate."
“It is obvious that those who released this statement are from certain groups who have caused civilian losses and the demolition of the country’s infrastructure by launching air strikes in Libya, and who have violated international law and human rights,” the statement said.
The ministry statement also blamed the international community for not reacting to the air strikes up till now.
"Necessary steps have started to be taken," the statement said, adding that officials have raised the issue to the UN Secretary General's Libya Representative.
Turkey warns its citizens to evacuate Libya 'immediately'
Turkey's Foreign Ministry has warned Turkish citizens in Libya to evacuate the country "immediately" through a statement released late on Wednesday.
"Because of the conflict and the airstrikes in Libya recently, we are suggesting to our citizens to leave the country immediately," the statement said.
The ministry also said that the Turkish Consulate General in Misrata (+218-51-266-3211) and the call center (00 90 312- 292 2929) can be reached 24/7 during an emergency.
The Libyan Shield Force, an Islamist rebel militia, has been engaged in fighting with rival militias in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, over control of the capital's strategic facilities.
Libya has recently witnessed heavy fighting between a loosely organized national army and militias that held onto their weapons following a bloody uprising in 2011 that ended the rule of Muammar Gaddafi.
