Amid tensions in Libya, Turkey’s hostile statements about UAE a provocation: Bahrain

Bahrain denounced Turkey's defense minister’s statements about the UAE and described it as “hostile” and an “unacceptable provocation,” the Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday.

“Bahrain denounces the hostile statements of the Turkish Defense Minister, Hulusi Akar, regarding the United Arab Emirates, considering it an unacceptable provocation that contradicts diplomatic norms, and a reprehensible threat to a brotherly Arab country that is known for its constructive role in the international community,” the ministry said in a statement.

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UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Anwar Gargash, had called Turkey to “stop intervening in Arab affairs” on Saturday.

“The provocative statement of the Turkish Minister of Defense is a new low for his country's diplomacy. The Sublime Porte and colonialist illusions belong to the archives of history. Relations are not conducted with threats and intrusions, and there is no place for colonial illusions at this time. It is more appropriate for Turkey to stop interfering in Arab affairs,” Gargash said in his tweet.

The UAE minister’s statement came a day after Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar claimed that the UAE was committing “malicious acts” in Libya and Syria, in statements carried by Turkish and Qatari media outlets.

The UAE, along with other Arab allies, have condemned Turkey’s interference in the Libyan conflict.

Libya has plunged into chaos since the 2011 toppling of dictator Moammar Gaddafi.

Clashes between the two main warring parties in the country, the Libyan National Army (LNA), commanded by Khalifa Haftar and the Government of National Accord (GNA), led by Fayez al-Serraj, have intensified recently.

Many foreign powers have backed different sides of the conflict with varying degrees of support, with the most prominent countries being Turkey backing the GNA and Egypt backing the LNA.

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