Turkish premier reiterates continued support for Libya

ISTANBUL (A.A) - February 26, 2012 - Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said Turkey would continue to extend support to Libya in the country's transition process to a democratic regime. "We have sincerely extended support to the Libyan transition process so far and we will continue our support Libya in the best way we could. I believe Libya's elections will be held as scheduled in a transparent and fair fashion," Erdogan told a joint press appearance with Libya's interim premier, Abd al-Rahim al-Keeb, after a tete-a-tete meeting in Istanbul on Saturday.   Erdogan said maintaining security in Libya hinged on the successful completion of the transition period, adding that disbanding the country's militia groups and restructuring Libya's security forces were of critical importance.  "We have taken a series of steps to extend training and equipment support Libya to ensure that the country maintains its domestic security," Erdogan said.  Erdogan said Turkey was eager to sign a high level cooperation agreement with Libya in the shortest possible time to boost bilateral relations. The Turkish premier said that Turkey would set to build a physiotherapy hospital in Misrata and that more than 20 Turkish company would construct free of charge a number government buildings in Libya.     Erdogan said Turkey's state-run air carrier, the Turkish Airlines, would increase the number of its flights to Libya to 42 from a current 28 flights weekly.   The two prime ministers held a separate meeting over a working dinner later on Saturday. Turkey's ministers of interior, energy, economy and urbanization attended the meeting.