Libya: Turkey sending troops is "unacceptable"

The speaker of Libya's parliament said Turkey's plan to send troops to Libya is "unacceptable" and will be considered as unwarranted meddling, AP reports.

Why it matters: Aguila Saleh's comment came in a joint statement with Cyprus' parliamentary speaker, Demetris Syllouris, claiming Turkey's actions are destabilizing the region and increasing tensions, per AP.

Context: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced plans to submit a bill to the Turkish Parliament on Jan. 7 to deploy troops to Libya, Al Jazeera reports.

• Erdoğan told members of his party, "Since there is an invitation [from Libya] right now, we will accept it. We will present the motion to send troops [to Libya] as soon as Parliament resumes."

Yes, but: Saleh said Libyan Prime Minister Fayez Sarraj isn't allowed to sign any agreements with other nations without the unanimous approval of a nine-member presidential council and parliament's approval, AP notes.

The state of play: Libya's official government is struggling to maintain control of the country after warlord Khalifa Hifter launched an offensive in eastern Libya in April.

Go deeper:

• Russia now on front lines of Libya's "proxy war," interior minister says
• Foreign powers fuel Libya’s bloody stalemate