Turkey to sell Manavgat water to Libya

ANKARA (A.A) - November 2, 2011 – Turkey's forestry and water works minister said on Wednesday that Turkey would sell Manavgat water to Libya. Veysel Eroglu said Libya was eager to purchase Manavgat Brook water, and Turkey had completed necessary preparations. "We can deliver Manavgat water at any time," Eroglu told AA correspondent in an exclusive interview. Eroglu said Libya's National Transitional Council (NTC) had contacted Turkey and the two countries had reached a preliminary compromise. Veysel Eroglu said Libya would undertake transportation costs. Turkey and Israel had reached an agreement on Manavgat water in 2001 after long years of negotiations. Within the framework of the agreement signed by Zeki Cakan, then energy and natural resources minister of Turkey, Turkey agreed to sale 50 million cubic meters of water to Israel p.a. for 20 years. Turkey suspended sale of Manavgat water to Israel due to its tense relations with Israel.