Erdoğan, Putin discuss Libya and Syria issues in phone call

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan discussed the Libya and Syria issues with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation on Monday, according to the information gained from the official sources.

The call's main focus was on the crisis in Libya, highlighting the need to make real steps towards a sustainable ceasefire, the officials told reporters

It also said both leaders agreed to step up anti-terrorism efforts in Syria, after reports earlier on Monday of a Turkish-Russian joint patrol being hit by a blast in the Idlib region.

The two leaders also addressed steps to enhance bilateral relations, especially in tourism, transport, energy, and economy, and the fight against the novel coronavirus pandemic.

Libya has been torn by a civil war since the ouster of late ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Libya's new government was founded in 2015 under a UN-led agreement, but efforts for a long-term political settlement failed due to the military offensive by warlord Khalifa Haftar's forces.

The UN recognizes the Libyan government headed by Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj as the country's legitimate authority.